Legal Question in Personal Injury in Florida
settlement and medical bills
My lawyer has submitted a settlement package to the ins. co. I have carefully gone through my medical bills with three doctors...one was mostly paid through my insurance co., one 'wrote-off' practically all of his fees, and mu medical ins. covered most of the third. My lawyer said they pay off the docs out of the settlement. Which amounts??? The balance of the bill? I know they pay back health insurance and car insurance...but they are telling me I have these horrendous medical bills and it seems to me that the docs have almost all been paid, after paying back both insurance companies. Of course, there is the 19,000 for one night in a hospital and surgery. Please explain hove this works. I think my lawyer is ripping me off to pay his doc. friends. Thank you.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: settlement and medical bills
Dear Sir/Madam:
If what you say is true, then something fishy may be going on. I would need more information though, in order to fully help you.
I am an attorney in South Florida who handles cases such as this and would be glad to review your situation.
Please email me at [email protected]
Perhaps nothing dastardly is going on, and if that's the case, I'll tell you. But I do need to learn more.
Take care,
Lenny Haberman
Re: settlement and medical bills
This sounds unusual and sometimes lawyers )improperly) take care of their doctor friends.
Generally, you must repay a portion of what the health insurance company paid. The exact amount is a subject of negotiation. If a doctor treats you under your health insurance policy, then generally his bill is limited to what the carrier allows -- so you pay only the co pay. He should not and generally is not allowed to charge you more that the set amount. The overcharge usually shows up on the bill as a "contract adjustment" or a "writeoff". In either event, you don't owe it and should not have to pay it.
If you were trated by someone out of network, then you may owe more -- but that is always negotiated as well. No one pays "the sticker price."
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