Detailed Answer

If you were injured in Mississippi and cannot pay up front for medical care, some doctors, clinics, and hospitals will agree to provide treatment on a lien basis or by issuing a Letter of Protection (commonly called an LOP). A lien or LOP is an agreement that the medical provider will seek payment from any future settlement or judgment in your personal injury case rather than demanding immediate cash payment.

Key concepts — lien vs. Letter of Protection (LOP)

• Letter of Protection (LOP): A written promise from you (or your personal injury attorney) that the medical provider will be paid from any recovery on your claim. An LOP is a contractual arrangement between you (and often your attorney) and the provider.
• Provider’s lien: A legal claim asserted by a medical provider (sometimes by filing paperwork in court) that secures payment from proceeds of a settlement or judgment. Different providers may rely on different procedures to protect their right to be paid.

How to find providers in Mississippi who will treat on lien

1. Contact personal injury attorneys for referrals. Many personal injury lawyers in Mississippi have established relationships with doctors and specialists who accept LOPs. If you plan to hire an attorney, ask early for medical referrals.
2. Call local hospitals and trauma centers. Some hospital-based clinics, emergency departments, or hospital financial assistance offices will work with injury cases or provide charity/discounted care until a settlement resolves payment.
3. Call urgent care centers and community clinics. Smaller clinics and orthopedic groups sometimes accept LOPs. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or community clinics may offer sliding-scale fees or deferred billing options.
4. Contact specialists directly. Orthopedists, pain management physicians, and physical therapists commonly work with injury cases; call and ask whether they accept treatment on an LOP or lien basis and what documentation they require.
5. Ask fellow patients and online local groups. Local support groups, online community groups, and patient reviews can point to providers who routinely accept LOPs in your county or region of Mississippi.

What to ask before you agree to treatment on lien or LOP

• Get any LOP or lien agreement in writing. Confirm the provider’s billing rates, whether interest or collection fees apply, and what portion of any recovery the provider expects.
• Confirm whether the provider will file an official lien or will rely solely on an attorney’s LOP. Ask how and when the lien will be released once payment is made.
• Ask whether the provider will bill your health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid first. If you have public benefits (Medicaid, Medicare), those programs often require repayment from a settlement—tell a prospective provider you have public coverage so everyone addresses statutory or federal repayment rules.
• Request itemized medical records and bills regularly. These are essential for your attorney to evaluate and negotiate medical charges during settlement.
• If possible, coordinate the LOP with the attorney handling your case. Attorneys can negotiate provider liens and reduce medical bills as part of the settlement process.

How providers expect to be paid

Providers treating on lien typically expect payment from one or more of the following sources: your health insurance or medical payment coverages (like MedPay), the responsible party’s liability insurance, or your settlement/judgment proceeds. If you have Medicare, Medicaid, or other public benefits, federal and state rules may require repayment to those programs from any recovery.

Timing and legal deadlines to keep in mind in Mississippi

It’s important to move promptly on your injury claim. Mississippi law imposes time limits to file most personal injury lawsuits. To start the formal legal process before a claim expires, contact an attorney quickly. For general information on Mississippi statutory law resources, see the Mississippi Legislature website: https://www.legislature.ms.gov/. Discuss deadlines with a lawyer as soon as possible.

When you should hire an attorney

Hire a personal injury attorney early if possible. Attorneys can:

• Provide referrals to medical providers who accept liens or LOPs.
• Negotiate lien amounts and obtain lien releases at settlement.
• Coordinate billing with insurance and protect your legal rights.

Medicaid/Medicare and subrogation issues

If you receive care paid by Medicare or Medicaid, those programs have legal rights to repayment (subrogation) from any settlement. Inform any provider up front if you have public benefits so the provider and your attorney can address repayment obligations correctly.

Practical example (hypothetical)

Suppose you are in Jackson and suffered a car crash. You contact three personal injury lawyers; one refers you to an orthopedic clinic that accepts LOPs for initial diagnostics and treatment. The clinic provides a written LOP that says they will seek payment from any settlement but will submit claims to your health insurer first. You get treatment, keep copies of all records and bills, and the attorney negotiates the provider’s bill before settlement, securing a lien release when the case resolves.

Where to find more information and official resources

• Mississippi Legislature (statutes and legal resources): https://www.legislature.ms.gov/
• Mississippi Bar — attorney referrals and lawyer search: https://www.msbar.org/
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (for federal rules about Medicare/Medicaid repayment): https://www.cms.gov/

Bottom line: Finding a medical provider who will treat you on a lien or with a Letter of Protection in Mississippi is common in personal injury cases. Start by contacting personal injury lawyers for referrals, call local hospitals and clinics, get any LOP in writing, and be mindful of public-benefits repayment issues. Work with an attorney early to protect your rights and properly handle liens at settlement.

Disclaimer: This is general information only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice about your specific situation, contact a licensed Mississippi personal injury attorney.

Helpful Hints

• Always get a written LOP or lien agreement before receiving care on lien.
• Keep copies of all medical records, itemized bills, imaging, and provider notes.
• Tell providers if you have Medicare, Medicaid, or other health coverage—this affects repayment and lien handling.
• Ask whether providers will file a formal lien and how they will release it after payment.
• Ask upfront whether the provider will bill your health insurance or expect full payment from the settlement.
• Contact a personal injury attorney early — they can often get better lien reductions and protect your recovery.
• Be cautious about signing documents that assign your rights or lien priority without legal advice.
• If you cannot find a provider who accepts a lien, ask about sliding-scale, charity care, payment plans, or urgent care alternatives to avoid gaps in needed treatment.