How to Find a Doctor or Facility That Will Treat You on a Lien Basis in Nevada
Short answer: In Nevada, many medical providers and facilities will treat an injured person on a lien or “letter of protection” (LOP) basis if the injury arises from someone else’s negligence. Start by working with a personal injury attorney or a clinic experienced in lien arrangements. Get any lien agreement in writing, verify how charges will be handled at settlement, and coordinate with your lawyer so payments and releases happen correctly.
Detailed Answer — What a lien or Letter of Protection (LOP) means and how to find providers in Nevada
What is a medical lien or LOP? A medical lien (or a provider’s agreement to wait for payment until you receive a settlement or judgment) is a promise by a doctor, hospital, or other medical provider to defer billing a patient and instead claim payment from the liable party’s insurance proceeds or lawsuit recovery. An attorney typically secures a Letter of Protection (LOP) that asks the provider to treat you now and accept payment later out of any recovery.
Who can enter into a lien agreement? Private doctors, speciality clinics, diagnostic centers, and some hospitals or urgent-care centers may accept treatment under an LOP or lien agreement. Whether they will depends on their billing policies, expected cost of care, and the perceived strength of your claim.
Are there specific Nevada statutes about medical liens? Nevada law addresses liens in several contexts and provides resources for locating statutes. For information about Nevada statutes and to search for any hospital or provider lien laws, see the Nevada Revised Statutes here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/. Because statutory lien rights and procedures vary by the type of provider (e.g., hospitals, employee compensation, Medicaid/Medicare liens), you or your attorney should check the relevant sections of the NRS that apply to your situation.
Step-by-step: How to find a provider who will treat you on a lien basis
- Contact a personal injury attorney early. Many providers will accept an LOP only if an attorney is involved. An attorney’s involvement reassures providers they will have someone pursuing recovery on your behalf. If you can’t afford an attorney up front, look for attorneys who take personal injury cases on contingency (they get paid from settlement proceeds).
- Ask your attorney or local legal aid for provider referrals. Personal injury lawyers routinely refer clients to medical providers who accept LOPs. Nevada attorneys and clinics in larger metro areas (Las Vegas, Reno) often have established networks.
- Call medical providers directly. Explain that you were injured in a potential personal injury claim and ask whether the office accepts treatment under a lien or LOP. If the front desk is unsure, ask to speak to billing or the office manager.
- Prioritize providers experienced with personal injury lien work. Providers who commonly treat accident victims can negotiate liens, give realistic billing estimates, and prepare timely documentation necessary for claims and subrogation questions.
- Get the lien or LOP in writing before treatment. The document should spell out what the provider claims (amount or percentage), whether they will accept reduced payment at settlement, and that the provider will sign a release of lien when paid. Avoid relying on verbal promises.
- Coordinate with insurers and liens that have priority. If a hospital has a statutory lien or if Medicare/Medicaid has a subrogation interest, those claims can affect how settlement funds are distributed. An attorney will help resolve these claims.
- Record or file the lien if required. Some liens must be recorded or formally asserted to be enforceable. Your attorney or the provider’s billing office should know the proper steps in Nevada.
Hypothetical example
Jane is injured in a Nevada car crash. She has no health insurance and cannot pay up front for physical therapy and imaging. Jane contacts a personal injury attorney working on contingency. The attorney gives the clinic a Letter of Protection; the clinic agrees to provide treatment and later file a lien against Jane’s recovery. After settlement, the clinic is paid from the settlement proceeds according to the written lien agreement and then releases the lien.
Key documents and terms to understand
- Letter of Protection (LOP): A promise from your attorney to the provider asking that the provider delay collection until settlement and be paid from the recovery.
- Medical Lien Agreement: The provider’s written claim specifying the amount or method of payment from eventual settlement proceeds and the requirement to release the lien when paid.
- Assignment vs. Lien: An assignment transfers the patient’s right to collect damages to the provider; a lien gives the provider a claim against settlement funds. Both should be reviewed carefully.
- Subrogation / Medicare & Medicaid interests: Government health programs and private insurers may have repayment rights from your recovery. Your attorney must address those before settlement.
What if a provider says “no”?
Providers may refuse if they doubt liability, expect little or no recovery, or if the anticipated care is expensive. If you can’t find a provider willing to accept an LOP, consider urgent care for immediate needs, community clinics, or free/low-cost clinics while you secure legal representation. Some attorneys will help locate providers on lien or put you in touch with treatment networks that serve personal injury clients.
Costs, reductions, and negotiations
Providers often accept less than billed charges when paid from a settlement. The provider’s willingness to accept reductions depends on the provider’s policies and the leverage provided by an attorney. Always try to negotiate lien amounts or percentage arrangements before settlement to avoid surprises.
When to involve an attorney
Involve an attorney as early as possible if you depend on treatment under a lien. Attorneys help:
- Obtain Letters of Protection.
- Negotiate provider reductions and lien priority.
- Address subrogation and government repayment claims.
- Ensure proper releases and lien satisfactions at settlement.
Useful Nevada resources
- Nevada Revised Statutes (searchable): https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/
- Nevada State Bar (find a lawyer): https://www.nvbar.org/
Disclaimer
This article is educational only and does not provide legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice tailored to your case, consult a licensed Nevada attorney experienced in personal injury and medical liens.
Helpful Hints — Practical checklist for getting treatment on a lien basis in Nevada
- Contact a personal injury attorney early — many providers require an LOP from counsel.
- Ask providers directly if they accept treatment on an LOP or lien basis and request written confirmation.
- Get a written lien agreement or LOP before major tests or procedures.
- Confirm whether the provider will accept a reduced payment at settlement and how the reduction is calculated.
- Learn if any hospital, government (Medicare/Medicaid), or private insurer has subrogation or statutory lien rights that could affect your settlement.
- Keep all treatment records, itemized bills, and written lien documents; they will be needed at settlement.
- If refused, seek community clinics, urgent care, or contingency-fee attorneys who can help place you with lien-friendly providers.
- Do not sign assignments of your entire claim without talking to an attorney — assignments transfer your recovery rights and can have long-term consequences.
- Ensure any paid lien is released in writing when the provider receives payment from your settlement.