After a car accident, a person may spend as much as $57,000 on inpatient hospitalization while they recover. While insurance can help cover those costs, not everyone has access to reliable health insurance. It’s easy to find yourself in debt, even if the accident wasn’t your fault.

However, there is the option of pursuing a hospital or medical lien. This allows you to apply the bill to any money you would otherwise earn from a settlement or jury verdict.

Here’s what you need to know about finding doctors on liens and what they can do for you.

1. What Are Doctors on Liens?

First of all, it’s important to understand the purpose of a medical lien.

Ordinarily, a person would go to their primary physician or local hospital to receive care after an accident. Any amount they would normally pay is partially covered by their health insurance.

The problem is that you might not have the money necessary to pay for these medical bills at first. You may also not have health insurance to cover these costs. Your auto accident case could take months, and those are debts that you’ll need to sit with until the settlement goes through.

By utilizing doctors on liens, you put off the payment until you receive your settlement. They receive a part of your settlement to cover the cost of your care. Additionally, doctors that work with medical liens are often experienced in working with the legal system and providing the information you may need for your case.

However, not every doctor will agree to work on a medical lien. Additionally, some practitioners like chiropractors may not be accepted as medical providers.

2. Why a Doctor May Not Work on a Lien

The main issue for doctors working on a lien is that it’s a risk.

There’s always the chance that you don’t win your case against the other party. If the doctor has worked on a medical lien, you’re then responsible for paying them for their services. However, most people who use medical liens do so because they don’t have a way to make those payments.

Furthermore, there’s also the possibility that your settlement won’t cover the entirety of their payment. While the doctor on lien will still get money, it won’t be as much as they expected.

That’s why it’s important to get doctors on lien who have experience doing so. They’re more likely to work with your attorney and can bring their own experience to your case.

3. Types of Liens

Some areas automatically file a lien for repayment based on the type of service provided. For example, a hospital may claim a repayment from your settlement instead of pursuing money from the patient. There are also health insurance providers that require repayment for their benefits when you get money back from another insurance company.

It’s important to know that these types of liens are different than when you obtain doctors on a lien.

Your doctor will assume that you’re paying their fees up front unless they agree to work on a lien. The same goes for hospitals in states that don’t require you to file a lien for repayment.

4. How Insurance Affects the Lien

It is possible to find doctors that work on liens even if you already have health insurance. Most doctors would rather get their money as soon as possible through your insurance company.

However, it is possible that your medical bills exceed what you can realistically pay even with insurance. In those cases, you can call doctors that work on liens for more expensive work such as extensive surgical procedures.

You’ll need to talk to your attorney about whether or not it’s in your benefit to pursue a doctor on liens as opposed to visiting your current physician.

5. How Much Goes Towards the Doctor

A medical lien is like a credit line. Your doctor provides services under the assumption that you will pay them back with money earned through your settlement. Since these are acquired due to a lack of health insurance, you’ll be expected to pay them back the full amount.

In other words, you’ll only receive part of the total settlement amount that you win. If your medical bills came out to $30,000 from a $50,000 settlement, then you’ll get what remains after you’ve paid it off as well as your legal fees.

There’s always the possibility that your medical bills exceed the amount of your settlement. In those cases, your physician will get a percentage of your earnings and expect you to pay the rest on your own.

6. How to Obtain a Lien

It’s up to your medical provider to fill out a lien on their own behalf to pursue payment through your settlement. They can be filed either through mail or at the auditor’s office. There is a fee to apply for a lien.

There is a possibility that a lien will be placed against a patient without them requesting one. In that case, your attorney will be obligated to keep the lien claimant notified as the case proceeds. Your attorney will also want to negotiate the claim before finalizing the settlement.

Find the Best Doctors on Liens

Doctors on liens can be very helpful if you’ve been injured in a car accident and lack the insurance to cover your medical bills. As opposed to legally mandated liens, these are consensual and optional. Additionally, they can help you reduce your overall stress as you recover from your accident.

Whether you need orthopedic doctors on liens or a chiropractor, Surgeons On A Lien has you covered. We’re dedicated to connecting your personal injury attorney with a physician who has experience working on a consensual lien basis. Contact us to learn more and find your doctor online.