Tag Archives: Who Pays Your Medical Bills After a Mississippi Car Accident?

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Understanding the Role of Health Insurance, Auto Insurance, and Liability Coverage

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Mississippi, one of the first questions you may have is: Who pays my medical bills? The answer isn’t always straightforward. Several types of coverage may apply, and the order in which they’re used depends on the specifics of your situation, your insurance policies, and who was at fault for the crash.

Understanding how health insurance, auto insurance, and third-party liability coverage work together can help ensure your medical bills are handled properly—and that you don’t get stuck paying out-of-pocket for someone else’s negligence.

1. Your Health Insurance

Your health insurance—whether it’s through your employer, a private plan, or Medicaid/Medicare—can typically be used to pay for treatment after a car accident. However, using your health insurance doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where the cost ends.

If you file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, your health insurer may request reimbursement from your settlement through a process called subrogation. This means your health insurance provider pays your medical bills upfront, but they have the right to be reimbursed if you later receive compensation for those same bills from a third party.

Health insurance also often requires co-pays, deductibles, and may limit the type of care you can receive. That’s why many car accident victims turn to auto-related coverage options first.

2. Your Auto Insurance: MedPay Coverage

In Mississippi, Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) is optional auto insurance that pays for your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. If you’ve elected MedPay as part of your policy, it typically kicks in first before health insurance or third-party liability coverage.

MedPay may cover:

  • Emergency room visits

  • Ambulance transport

  • X-rays and imaging

  • Follow-up care

  • Physical therapy

  • Surgical expenses

It can also cover medical costs for your passengers. MedPay usually has policy limits, such as $1,000, $5,000, or more, depending on what you chose when purchasing coverage. Unlike health insurance, MedPay doesn’t require co-pays or deductibles and doesn’t demand repayment if you win a personal injury settlement.

3. The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance (Third-Party Liability)

Mississippi follows a fault-based system, meaning the party who caused the accident is legally responsible for paying damages—including medical expenses—through their liability insurance. State law requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury per person

  • $50,000 per accident if more than one person is injured

  • $25,000 for property damage

You can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company through a third-party claim. However, liability coverage is not paid immediately—it typically comes after the claim is settled, which can take months or even longer. In the meantime, you’ll need to rely on MedPay, health insurance, or your own out-of-pocket funds.

In cases involving severe injuries or high medical costs, the at-fault driver’s insurance limits may not fully cover your damages. If that happens, you may need to pursue additional options.

4. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)

If the at-fault driver has no insurance—or not enough to cover your medical expenses—you may be able to use Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Though optional in Mississippi, UM/UIM coverage can make up the difference when the at-fault party can’t pay.

For example, if your medical expenses total $75,000 and the at-fault driver only has $25,000 in coverage, your UIM policy could potentially cover the remaining $50,000, depending on your limits.

5. Out-of-Pocket Costs and Medical Liens

In some cases, you may have to pay some expenses upfront or receive care under a medical lien, especially if you don’t have health insurance or MedPay coverage. A medical lien allows your healthcare provider to delay collection until your injury claim is resolved. The lien ensures the provider is paid from your settlement.

Keep in mind:

  • Providers with liens may charge full prices, not discounted insurance rates

  • Liens must typically be paid before you receive your portion of any settlement

An attorney can negotiate with providers and lienholders to reduce the amount owed and maximize your recovery.

Coordinating All These Sources

When multiple insurance policies are involved—health insurance, MedPay, UM/UIM, and liability—it can get confusing. You may need help figuring out:

  • Which policy pays first

  • What’s reimbursable

  • What paperwork is needed to support your claim

  • How to avoid losing money through subrogation or liens

Legal guidance can ensure all available coverage is properly used and that your final recovery isn’t unfairly reduced by billing errors or insurer tactics.

CalL Bill Kellum for a free consultation

Medical bills after a Mississippi car accident can add up fast. Understanding who pays—and when—is key to avoiding long-term financial harm. The attorneys at Kellum Law Firm, P.C. can help you coordinate insurance coverage, protect your rights, and pursue full compensation. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 to schedule your consultation today.