If you cannot afford a doctor after a car accident in Massachusetts, do not give up. PIP coverage, MassHealth, hospital charity care, and medical liens are all paths to getting the treatment you need. Getting care quickly protects your health and your legal rights. The two go hand in hand.
This is one of the most common and stressful situations that accident victims face. The good news is that you have more options than you may realize. And getting medical care as soon as possible is one of the most important things you can do, both for your health and for your auto accident claim.
Why Seeing a Doctor Matters, Even When It Feels Unaffordable
Some injuries from car accidents are not immediately obvious. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, internal organ damage, and concussions can take hours or even days to fully show up. If you wait too long, those injuries may get worse.
From a legal standpoint, a gap in medical treatment can also hurt your case. Insurance companies look closely at your medical records. If you did not see a doctor soon after the accident, they may argue that your injuries were not serious, or that something else caused them. That can significantly reduce the value of your claim.
Massachusetts PIP Coverage: You May Already Be Covered
Here is something many people in Massachusetts do not know: your own auto insurance may cover your medical bills, regardless of who caused the crash.
Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state. That means your car insurance includes something called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. PIP covers up to $8,000 in combined medical expenses and lost wages, no matter who was at fault for the accident.
PIP pays first, before your health insurance gets involved. You do not have to wait for the other driver’s insurance company to accept responsibility. File with your own insurer right away and start using your PIP benefits.
If you have a Massachusetts car insurance policy, call your insurer after the accident and ask specifically about your PIP coverage. Your claims representative can walk you through how to use it.
What If You Do Not Have Auto Insurance?
If you were a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, you may be covered under the driver’s PIP policy. Passengers are often included under that coverage.
If you are uninsured entirely, you still have options. These include:
- MassHealth (Medicaid): If you qualify based on income, you may be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through the Commonwealth’s Medicaid program.
- Community health centers: Federally qualified health centers provide care on a sliding fee scale based on your income. There are many located throughout Massachusetts.
- Hospital charity care programs: Most hospitals in Massachusetts are required to offer financial assistance to patients who cannot pay. Ask the billing department about the Health Safety Net program.
- Treatment on a medical lien: This is when a doctor or clinic agrees to treat you now and get paid later, from your settlement proceeds. You get care today, and the provider is paid when your case resolves.
A medical lien arrangement is something your car accident lawyer can often help coordinate. You do not have to figure it out on your own. Regardless, a personal injury attorney can help you figure out who will pay for your medical bills after a car accident.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help with Medical Bills
This is one of the most overlooked benefits of working with a personal injury attorney after a car accident.
An experienced lawyer can help you access care, connect you with providers who work on a lien basis, and make sure your medical documentation is complete and well-organized. Thorough medical records are critical to building a strong case.
DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers works with injured clients throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We help clients bridge the gap between needing care and being able to pay for it.
Do Not Let Cost Stop You from Getting Checked Out
The cost of living in Massachusetts is high. Unexpected medical bills can feel overwhelming. But skipping medical care after an accident often costs far more in the long run, both in terms of your health and your ability to recover fair compensation.
Even if you feel okay right after the crash, see a doctor or go to urgent care within 24 to 48 hours. Describe all of your symptoms, even the ones that seem minor. Keep records of every appointment, every prescription, and every out-of-pocket expense.
That documentation is what supports your claim.
What About Long-Term Treatment?
Some car accident injuries require ongoing care: physical therapy, specialist visits, injections, or surgery. If another driver caused your crash, you may be able to recover compensation for all of those costs, including treatment you have not yet received.
In Massachusetts, you can seek compensation for both past and future medical expenses in a personal injury claim. Your attorney will work with your doctors to document the expected cost of future treatment.
Talk to a Lawyer Today. There Is No Cost to Call.
DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers offers free consultations for car accident victims in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We charge no fee unless we win your case. If you are hurt and worried about how to pay for care, call 855-342-3552. We will explain your options and help you figure out the right next step.
Sources
- Massachusetts Auto Insurance Basics (PIP Coverage): https://www.mass.gov/info-details/basics-of-auto-insurance
- Massachusetts Auto Insurance Claims FAQ: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-auto-insurance-claims
- MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid): https://www.mass.gov/masshealth
- Massachusetts Health Safety Net (Hospital Charity Care): https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-safety-net
- HRSA Health Center Finder (Community Health Centers): https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
- M.G.L. c. 90, s. 34M (Personal Injury Protection): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section34M