A question for Doctors and Insurance types...

[Tck13]

What gives? I had a motorcycle accident last October. The other driver was at fault and I was injured.

I'm still having some problems but Doctors are refusing to see me because (a) it was an auto / moto accident and (b) I've since gotten a lawyer because of AIG's insurance dragging their feet (presumably because they've accepted liability and the accident was their client's fault).

I finally found a doctor that will see me but I have to pay cash for any visits with him and he says he'll reimburse me IF and when he gets paid.

So, I was the injured victim in an accident that wasn't my fault and doctors won't see me because they're afraid that they won't get paid (despite the fact that the other party accepted liability). What a joke. Suggestions?

 

[crazyquik]

You got a lawyer, this is his job to get AIG to pay out.

AIG was already getting slower to pay out about a year ago, and I'm sure since last September they're even tighter. In fact, a small-town doctor told me as much.

 

[JoeWoah]

If you have health insurance, you can use it. Then, the health insurance company will go after the car insurance company (or you) to get reimbursement. At least you get medical attention now rather than waiting.

 

[Xericx]

Get your lawyer to get you a doctor????

You have a certain limit of when you can sue for medical costs I believe, act quickly and have your lawyer be agressive.

 

[chuckseabreeze]

Unless it is a life threatening emergency, and even then I think it is the hospital's responsibility more than anything, you cannot force a doctor to take a patient, anymore than you can force a patient to see a doctor.

Not through lawyers or courts either.

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

You got a lawyer, this is his job to get AIG to pay out.

AIG was already getting slower to pay out about a year ago, and I'm sure since last September they're even tighter. In fact, a small-town doctor told me as much.

Why is that? I assume their hurting with the economy and the bailout?

Originally Posted by JoeWoah

If you have health insurance, you can use it. Then, the health insurance company will go after the car insurance company (or you) to get reimbursement. At least you get medical attention now rather than waiting.

That's just it. The doctors won't even take my health insurance. I guess they think that they won't get the money from the health insurance? This sucks. I can't imagine what people do that DON'T have any extra cash.

 

[philosophe]

I think the issue here is the existence of lawsuit. Everyone wants to stay far, far away from lawsuits. Perhaps your lawyer can recommend a physician s/he works with.

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by philosophe

I think the issue here is the existence of lawsuit. Everyone wants to stay far, far away from lawsuits. Perhaps your lawyer can recommend a physician s/he works with.

Overall, I think you're right. I didn't even need to get a lawyer as the other company accepted liability but when they wouldn't call me or my ins company back after a month or two and only sent out a letter or two, I got a little worried. Then, many of my friends said I'd be better off with a lawyer to protect myself. Now, I'm wondering if that is more of a hinderance.

 

[Xericx]

Yeah, they would have to testify or provide laborious paperwork and statements. There are doctors that do many of these types of cases.

I saw a recent commercial regarding this, where a lawyer was negotiating a settlement with an accident victim. The lawyer is good if you have actual damages, they will get you the maximum amount of money and hopefully in a reasonable time before any sort of compensatory rights have expired.

Right now, since it doesn't seem like you're being agressive, the insurance company is ******* with you.

I believe typically the doctor has to submit bills, and it has to be coded via CPT codes and then the insurance issues payments. However, do you feel you're entitled to additional compensation? In your shoes, I would just due to the general nuisance of the insurance company.

 

[philosophe]

Originally Posted by Xericx

Right now, since it doesn't seem like you're being agressive, the insurance company is ******* with you.

I believe typically the doctor has to submit bills, and it has to be coded via CPT codes and then the insurance issues payments. However, do you feel you're entitled to additional compensation? In your shoes, I would just due to the general nuisance of the insurance company.

Did your lawyer give you a sense of how quickly the insurance company is likely to pay? Getting some sense of the usual time frame would help a lot in figuring out what to do.

 

[rnoldh]

Where are you located? Is it a no-fault insurance state?

Something doesn't add up. At the very least, your health insurer should be paying your Dr. bills and then they will have the right to subrogate and recover their costs from AIG.

Was the guy that hit you ticketed and has AIG accepted liability ( get it in writing ). I assume that your lawyer has taken your case on contingency and expects to make something out of the end result. Do you know the status of his contacts with AIG's adjusters and what their position is?

PM me if you want. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, but I've dealt with many of the top PI guys here in Houston down to the fender bender bottom feeders, and I can probably give you an overview of the situation.

Do you have confidence in your lawyer? Things like future medical costs and reimbursement for pain and suffering and missed work are important ( and are generally impacted by the state the accident happened in ) and the insurer and coverage of the person that hit you.

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by Xericx

Yeah, they would have to testify or provide laborious paperwork and statements. There are doctors that do many of these types of cases.

I saw a recent commercial regarding this, where a lawyer was negotiating a settlement with an accident victim. The lawyer is good if you have actual damages, they will get you the maximum amount of money and hopefully in a reasonable time before any sort of compensatory rights have expired.

Right now, since it doesn't seem like you're being agressive, the insurance company is ******* with you.

I believe typically the doctor has to submit bills, and it has to be coded via CPT codes and then the insurance issues payments. However, do you feel you're entitled to additional compensation? In your shoes, I would just due to the general nuisance of the insurance company.

Yes, I was out of work for 4 weeks. So, I'm due more compensation. Since the insurance was not responsive, that's when I decided to get a lawyer.

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by rnoldh

Where are you located? Is it a no-fault insurance state? Something doesn't add up. At the very least, your health insurer should be paying your Dr. bills and then they will have the right to subrogate and recover their costs from AIG. Was the guy that hit you ticketed and has AIG accepted liability ( get it in writing ). I assume that your lawyer has taken your case on contingency and expects to make something out of the end result. Do you know the status of his contacts with AIG's adjusters and what their position is? PM me if you want. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, but I've dealt with many of the top PI guys here in Houston down to the fender bender bottom feeders, and I can probably give you an overview of the situation. Do you have confidence in your lawyer? Things like future medical costs and reimbursement for pain and suffering and missed work are important ( and are generally impacted by the state the accident happened in ) and the insurer and coverage of the person that hit you.
Yes, it's a no fault ins state. I have the accepted liability in writing and your are correct about the contingency. I have confidence in my lawyer for reasons I'll not post here. He's supposedly very good.