Why Am I Getting Hospital Bills When the Car Accident Wasn’t My Fault?

Getting hospital bills after a Pennsylvania car accident that wasn’t your fault? Learn why the bill may be sent to you and what to check next.

Quick Answer

You may receive hospital bills even when another driver caused the accident because fault and initial medical-bill processing are separate issues in Pennsylvania.

The hospital may not have the correct automobile-insurance information or claim number, the bill may still be processing, or available first-party medical benefits may have been denied or exhausted.

Do not ignore the bill. Confirm that the hospital has the correct automobile-insurance information and claim number. Find out whether the bill was submitted, remains pending, was denied, or was sent to the wrong place.

Keep copies of the bill and any explanation of benefits, payment notice, or denial notice you receive.

Most importantly, receiving a hospital bill does not mean you caused the accident.

Key Takeaways

• A hospital bill addressed to you does not mean you were responsible for the accident.
• Fault and the initial processing of medical bills are separate issues.
• The other driver’s insurance company does not necessarily pay your hospital directly immediately after the crash.
• The hospital may be missing the correct automobile-insurance information or claim number.
• A bill may be pending, denied, incorrectly routed, or affected by exhausted first-party medical benefits.
• Do not ignore medical bills simply because an accident or insurance claim is pending.
• Keep the bill and any insurance explanation, payment notice, or denial letter.

Why Am I Getting the Bill?

Even when another driver caused the accident, the hospital may send the bill to you because fault and the initial processing of medical bills are separate issues in Pennsylvania. The other driver’s liability insurer does not necessarily pay the hospital directly. Your bill may have reached you because:

• The hospital does not have the correct automobile-insurance information.
• The provider does not have your claim number.
• The bill has not yet been processed by the applicable insurer.
• The bill was submitted incorrectly or additional information is needed.
• Payment was denied and you need to determine why.
• Available first-party medical benefits may have been exhausted.

Receiving the bill does not mean you caused the accident or that you automatically have to pay it yourself.

What to Do Next

If a hospital or medical bill from your car accident has arrived:

1. Do not ignore it.
2. Keep a copy of the bill.
3. Confirm that the provider knows your treatment was related to a car accident.
4. Make sure the provider has the correct automobile-insurance information and claim number.
5. Find out whether the bill was submitted, remains pending, was paid in part, or was denied.
6. Keep any explanation of benefits, payment notice, or denial notice.
7. Pay attention to collection notices or requests for additional information.
8. If you cannot determine why the bill remains unpaid, contact the applicable insurer or consider obtaining legal guidance.

The important thing is to determine why the bill reached you rather than assuming that receiving it means you caused the accident or that your injury claim has failed.

Get Help After a Pennsylvania Car Accident

Medical bills can become one more source of confusion when you are already dealing with injuries, treatment, vehicle damage, insurance adjusters, and questions about what happens next.

If you were injured in a Pennsylvania car accident and hospital or medical bills are arriving that you do not understand, The Oakes Firm — experienced Philadelphia Injury Lawyers can help you understand the insurance and injury issues involved in your particular situation.

Call The Oakes Firm at (215) 883-4412.

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