What Happens When My Kentucky PIP Benefits Are Exhausted?

You have been in a car accident in Kentucky. Now, you are going to the doctor and getting treated for your injuries from the accident. You feel better but you are not fully recovered. Then, you get a letter from your car insurance company that says your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits are exhausted. Should you use your personal health insurance to pay the medical bills?

Should I use personal health insurance to pay medical bills?
The answer is both yes and no. The “yes” comes after the $10,000 amount is fully paid or exhausted. Then you may use your health insurance. Your health insurance will pay the medical bills after your PIP benefits are exhausted. The confusing part, and what some consider the bad part, about this is there’s something called subrogation. Around 90% of all health insurance plans require you to reimburse the health insurance carrier for anything they pay toward the treatment of injuries sustained in a car accident. Federal ERISA laws cover this area. It is a very specialized area of law.

The “no” is because your first and primary insurance in Kentucky is your PIP benefits. Your car insurance will pay the first $10,000 of medical bills for treatment from a car accident under most circumstances. It’s always a good idea to contact your insurance agent to see what your insurance covers.

Why does my health insurance have to pay?
If there is a requirement to pay your health insurance company back, why should you use your health insurance to pay your bills? The answer is twofold. One is to make sure that you get the treatment you need. The second is that they pay at a reduced rate, which ultimately saves you money. You will have to reimburse them but only for what they paid. For example, when a health insurance company pays a bill, they will pay the provider an agreed upon price for any treatment. In other words, the health insurance company will pay only a portion of the charge. You only have to reimburse the health insurance company for what they paid, not the total amount of the bill. You are also responsible to pay any co-pays or deductibles to the health care provider, unless you can work out other arrangements with your doctor. You will eventually be reimbursed, but that may be several months or even years after your accident case has been settled.

The bottom line is you should use your health insurance to pay your medical bills once your PIP benefits have been exhausted. Your health insurance is secondary insurance. This allows you to get the treatment you need without being hassled by bill collectors for payment. If you have questions, contact our personal injury lawyer in Kentucky for a free consultation.