Detailed Answer: How to find a medical provider who will treat you on a lien (or Letter of Protection) in Connecticut
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence and lack the funds to pay medical bills now, some doctors, specialists, clinics, and hospitals will agree to treat you and wait to be paid from any future settlement or judgment. That agreement usually takes the form of a medical provider lien or a written promise called a Letter of Protection (LOP). The provider treats you now and files a claim against the injury recovery later.
Basic steps to find a provider in Connecticut who will treat you on a lien or LOP
- Contact personal injury attorneys for referrals. Many Connecticut personal injury lawyers maintain lists of local physicians, orthopedists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and diagnostic clinics that commonly accept treatment on lien. Even if you aren’t yet retaining an attorney, ask for local referrals — attorneys often share networks of providers who understand lien/LOP arrangements.
- Call hospitals’ and clinics’ billing/financial assistance departments. Ask whether they accept treatment on a lien or LOP for pending personal injury claims. Larger Connecticut hospitals sometimes have policies for treating injured patients who promise to pursue a third‑party claim.
- Contact specialty practices directly. Orthopedic surgeons, pain management clinics, physical therapy centers, and diagnostic imaging centers often accept LOPs because their services commonly appear in PI claims. Ask whether they accept LOPs and what documentation they require (e.g., copy of police report, accident report, or an attorney’s engagement letter).
- Use local medical-legal networks and referral services. Some Connecticut medical providers advertise that they accept liens. You can also ask the Connecticut Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service (https://www.ctbar.org/) or local legal aid clinics for guidance on local providers willing to work on lien/LOP terms.
- Ask for the lien/LOP in writing and review its terms. Never rely on a verbal promise. Get a signed LOP or lien agreement that explains: who is promising payment (you or your attorney), what services are covered, whether the provider will pursue a statutory lien or a contractual right against your recovery, and the provider’s billing rate and percentage or priority. Keep a copy.
- Confirm provider expectations about settlement and attorney involvement. Some providers require that you hire an attorney before they will accept an LOP; others will accept an LOP from an unrepresented claimant. Clarify whether they expect to be paid at settlement, if they will assert a lien, and whether they will join suit to enforce payment if necessary.
Important Connecticut-specific considerations
Connecticut has laws and court procedures that affect recoveries from personal injury claims. Providers who intend to be paid from a settlement or judgment will rely on state procedures to place a claim on the case recovery. To learn about Connecticut statutes and to search statute language, use the Connecticut General Assembly’s current statutes site: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/. For court procedures and local rules, see the Connecticut Judicial Branch: https://www.jud.ct.gov/.
How providers typically secure payment
- Provider lien or LOP: a written agreement that reserves the provider’s right to be paid from the patient’s recovery.
- Billing the patient while asserting a hold on proceeds: the provider bills during treatment but agrees not to sue for immediate payment and instead to collect from any settlement or judgment.
- Filing a formal lien/claim in the lawsuit or attaching a judgment once recovery occurs.
What to expect in negotiations and at settlement
If you have an attorney, they will usually negotiate reductions of medical bills and try to protect your net recovery. Providers that accept lien/LOP treatment often accept reduced amounts when settlement is imminent. If you are unrepresented, try to get providers to state in writing whether they will accept reduced payment, and whether they will defer billing until you resolve the underlying claim.
Documentation providers commonly require
- Identification and insurance information.
- Accident and incident details (police report, employer incident report, or basic written statement).
- Authorization to bill and to discuss your care with your attorney if you have one.
- Signed LOP or lien agreement spelling out payment terms.
Medicare, Medicaid (HUSKY), and private insurance issues
If you are a Medicare or Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY) beneficiary, federal and state rules may require repayment to those programs from any personal injury recovery. Providers and lawyers must follow Medicare’s and Medicaid’s subrogation and repayment rules. For federal Medicare information, see Medicare’s site; for Connecticut Medicaid questions, contact the CT Department of Social Services or CT Department of Public Health: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH.
When to involve an attorney
Hiring a Connecticut personal injury attorney before you sign multiple lien agreements usually improves your chances of keeping more of your recovery. An attorney can:
- Negotiate with medical providers to reduce or subordinate liens;
- Resolve competing lien claims from multiple providers;
- Ensure compliance with state procedural rules for asserting liens or enforcing a provider’s claim against a settlement or judgment;
- Manage Medicare/Medicaid repayment demands and protect your net recovery.
Red flags to avoid
- Providers who refuse to put lien/LOP terms in writing.
- Agreements that grant the provider priority over attorney fees or other creditors without explaining the effect on your net recovery.
- Providers who demand large upfront payments but still promise a lien.
- Providers that will not provide itemized bills or will not communicate about billing and lien status in writing.
Useful Connecticut resources
- Connecticut General Assembly (statutes search): https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/
- Connecticut Judicial Branch (court forms and procedures): https://www.jud.ct.gov/
- Connecticut Bar Association (lawyer referral): https://www.ctbar.org/
- Connecticut Department of Public Health: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about finding medical care on lien in Connecticut. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney‑client relationship. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Connecticut personal injury attorney.
Helpful Hints
- Get every lien or Letter of Protection in writing before you begin treatment.
- Ask providers whether they will accept a reduced payment once settlement is reached — many will.
- If possible, retain a Connecticut personal injury attorney early; they can negotiate liens and protect your net recovery.
- Keep copies of all bills, LOPs, and communications about who will be paid from any settlement.
- Confirm whether Medicare or Medicaid might have repayment claims against your settlement and discuss coordination with any provider who agrees to a lien.
- Request itemized bills from each provider so your lawyer (or you) can evaluate and negotiate them.
- Check provider reputations and billing practices. A provider willing to take a lien is not automatically a good fit — verify quality and communication standards.