When recovering from a car accident, most people focus on auto repairs and liability insurance—but there’s a lesser-known benefit that could help cover your healthcare costs: Medical Payments Coverage, or MedPay.
What Is MedPay?
MedPay is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy that helps cover medical expenses after an auto accident, regardless of who was at fault. It’s designed to pay for necessary care without the delays or complications of filing a liability claim.
What Does MedPay Cover?
MedPay typically covers reasonable and necessary medical services, including:
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Chiropractic care
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Emergency room visits
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Physical therapy
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X-rays and imaging
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Ambulance services
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Follow-up appointments
If you’ve sustained injuries in a crash—even a minor one—MedPay may help pay for your treatment up to the policy’s coverage limit.
Why Should You Check If You Have MedPay?
Many drivers don’t realize that MedPay is already included in their auto insurance policy. Others may not have it at all and are unaware it’s even an option. Since MedPay is often bundled quietly with your car insurance, it’s worth taking a closer look at your plan.
Even if you don’t currently have it, adding MedPay is typically inexpensive and can offer major benefits. It helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers after a car accident—regardless of who’s at fault. This can be especially useful if you have a high-deductible health plan or limited health insurance coverage.
To make sure you're covered, call your insurance provider and ask:
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Do I currently have MedPay coverage?
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If not, what’s the cost to add it?
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What is my coverage limit?
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How do I submit expenses if I need to use it?
Taking five minutes to check your coverage now can save you a lot of stress (and money) later.
Final Thoughts
MedPay coverage typically ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 per person, per accident—with $5,000 being the most common amount we see. To put this into perspective, an ambulance ride alone can cost around $2,000, and an ER visit can add thousands more. Having at least $5,000 in MedPay can go a long way in covering immediate expenses and providing access to chiropractic care, acupuncture, and physical therapy during your recovery.
Without MedPay, you may be responsible for paying out of pocket until your case settles. In some situations, hiring an attorney who works with liens is an option—this allows you to receive care upfront, but it also means your providers won’t be paid until your case is resolved.
The most seamless and stress-free route—for both you and your care team—is having a MedPay policy that covers treatment costs as you receive care.
Don’t overlook this valuable resource. If you’ve recently been in an accident, review your auto insurance policy. You may already have coverage that can help ease the financial burden of your recovery.
