As A Medicare Recipient, Can I File A Claim?

When another person or entity is reckless or negligent, you can file a personal injury claim. Whether you are a Medicare recipient or not. Many Medicare recipients are 65 years of age or older, but there are also individuals who are eligible for the federal health insurance program due to a disability or other issue.

In order to have your personal injury claim handled correctly following a Louisiana accident, connect with a Shreveport injury lawyer. There are unique considerations when a claim is filed by a Medicare recipient. For example, it is likely a percentage of your claim compensation will be used to reimburse the federal program for expenses Medicare paid out for accident injuries. Receiving a settlement that takes this reimbursement into account is essential. An experienced attorney can help.

A Medicare Lien Notice Could Follow a Settlement

After you go through the claims process and secure a settlement, if you are a Medicare recipient, a lien notice will follow informing you of what level of reimbursement is necessary. Reviewing the lien is important, the expenses will be listed and you need to make sure they are in line with the treatment you received.

Paying the full amount of the lien or appealing it are your options. While it is common to negotiate throughout the claims process, a Medicare lien is not typically negotiable. If you are not comfortable with the lien amount and the listed expenses, appealing it is the best path forward.

Communicating with Medicare Is Recommended

There is a lot to manage when you are healing from an injury, coping with expenses, and negotiating a claim or lawsuit. It is common for people to not want to take on another line of communication, but keeping accurate Medicare records and communicating them when necessary can save you time and stress later.

• Contact Medicare and let them know when you are being treated due to an accident injury.
• Once a settlement is achieved, let Medicare know.
• Review and pay Medicare lien promptly, unless you are appealing.

Not contacting Medicare does not mean reimbursement will be avoided. Instead, a Medicare representative will contact you instead of you contacting them. Having accurate records and communicating facts is the best way to streamline the whole process.

Understanding that you will not keep the entirety of your settlement if you are a Medicare recipient is important. This could impact what level of compensation is appropriate. An experienced attorney can advise you on what level of compensation is possible.

Were you injured in a Louisiana car accident and are covered under the federal Medicare program? The personal injury lawyers at Rice & Kendig can negotiate with an insurance company for you. We truly care about our clients and devote our knowledge, skills and resources toward securing a great result every time. You do not need to navigate complicated negotiations on your own. Together, we can achieve success. Contact us today at 318-222-2772 to schedule your free consultation.