Detailed Answer — What a lien or Letter of Protection (LOP) is, and how to find providers in Nebraska

1. What a medical lien and a Letter of Protection are

A medical lien is a claim against money recovered from a third party (for example, an insurance settlement or jury award) to secure payment for medical care provided for the injury. A Letter of Protection (LOP) is a promise from your attorney (or sometimes you) that the medical provider will be paid out of any future recovery. LOPs are private agreements between you, your attorney, and the provider; some providers may instead require that they file a lien or retain a security interest against the claim.

2. Why providers accept LOPs or liens

Providers accept LOPs or liens because you lack immediate ability to pay, and because recovery from the at-fault party’s insurance is likely. Providers weigh the risk of nonpayment against the chance of full payment after settlement. Smaller clinics and certain specialties (e.g., chiropractic, physical therapy, pain-management) more commonly accept LOPs. Hospitals and surgical specialists may be more cautious and may require partial payment, proof of serious liability, or an attorney’s involvement.

3. First and best step: contact a personal injury attorney early

An attorney experienced in personal injury in Nebraska can do several important things: (a) tell providers you have representation, (b) issue a formal LOP, (c) negotiate medical bills and liens, and (d) protect your claim while you get treatment. If you can, get an attorney before you schedule non-emergency care. For attorney referrals, try the Nebraska State Bar Association Find-A-Lawyer tool: https://www.nebar.com/?pg=Find-A-Lawyer.

4. If you don’t yet have an attorney: where to look for lien-friendly providers

• Call local chiropractic offices and ask whether they accept treatment on a lien or LOP basis for personal injury claims.
• Contact orthopedic clinics, physical-therapy centers, and pain-management clinics. Ask if they accept LOPs and what documentation they require.
• Talk with hospital emergency departments and their financial counselors about whether the hospital will treat for emergency care immediately and whether they have a hospital lien or charity/financial assistance that will cover care short-term.
• Search online for terms like “treat on lien,” “letter of protection accepted,” or “personal injury treatment lien” together with the city or county name in Nebraska.
• Ask friends, family, or support groups for referrals to providers who have accepted liens in other cases.

5. What to expect when you ask a provider to accept a lien or LOP

Providers will usually ask for:

• Your ID and basic contact information.
• Insurance information (even if coverage is secondary or not available).
• Information about the accident (police report, claim number, or at-fault insurer if available).
• A copy of the LOP or a written agreement signed by you and your attorney. Many providers will not accept an LOP unless your attorney signs it.

Expect providers to document the lien or LOP in writing. If you sign anything, make sure you keep copies. Avoid oral-only agreements.

6. Practical tips for approaching providers

1. Be honest about your representation status. If you have an attorney, give the provider the attorney’s name and contact information.
2. Bring all relevant records (medical and incident documentation) to show the injury and likely liability.
3. Ask whether the provider will accept a signed LOP, whether they will require an attorney’s signature, and whether they will place a lien.
4. Get any agreement in writing: itemize services covered, whether interest or collection fees will accrue, and who will cover costs if there is no recovery.

7. How treatment on lien affects your settlement in Nebraska

When you settle, medical providers who treated you under LOP or a lien expect to be paid from the settlement. Attorneys commonly negotiate provider bills, reduce amounts, and resolve liens as part of the settlement process. You should understand that providers may bill at full rate and then accept a negotiated amount. A written LOP or lien should describe payment order and any priority claims; if there is a dispute, an attorney can help protect your recovery.

8. Nebraska law resources

Nebraska does not prohibit Letters of Protection. Statutes, court rules, and lien procedures can affect how providers assert claims against settlements. For state statutes and to research lien-related provisions, review the Nebraska Revised Statutes at the Nebraska Legislature website: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php. You can search that site for terms such as “lien,” “hospital lien,” or “medical lien” to find statutes and applicable rules.

9. When providers refuse to treat on lien

If a provider refuses an LOP, options include: emergency treatment at a hospital (you must be stabilized), paying out-of-pocket and seeking reimbursement from settlement, or finding another provider willing to accept a lien. Do not delay critical care because of billing concerns—seek immediate emergency care when needed, then address the lien issue.

10. Protecting yourself — paperwork and verification

• Insist on written LOPs or signed lien documents that clearly state the provider’s rights to payment from your claim.
• Keep all medical bills, authorizations, and communications between your attorney and providers.
• Ask your attorney to confirm if a provider’s lien is enforceable under Nebraska law and to negotiate reductions where possible.

11. What to expect from your attorney

Your attorney should:

• Contact providers and issue LOPs where appropriate.
• Negotiate bills and liens before settlement.
• Explain how medical payments will be allocated from any recovery.

Helpful Hints — Quick checklist and resources

• Start early: Get an attorney quickly or start contacting lien-friendly providers right away to avoid treatment gaps.
• Get it written: Never rely solely on verbal promises — obtain a signed LOP or lien agreement.
• Ask provider questions: Will they accept an LOP? Will they file a lien? Do they expect co-pays? Who negotiates the bill?
• Keep records: Save all medical records, bills, and correspondence about the lien or LOP.
• Hospital financial counselors: Use them — they can explain whether the hospital uses statutory liens, charity care, or payment plans.
• Provider types: Chiropractic, PT, pain clinics, and some orthopedists often accept LOPs; emergency hospitals often require stabilization and may assert lien-like claims for unpaid bills.
• Verify attorneys: Use the Nebraska State Bar Association Find-A-Lawyer page: https://www.nebar.com/?pg=Find-A-Lawyer.
• Review state law: Look up Nebraska statutes related to liens at the Nebraska Legislature: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php.
• Don’t delay care: Seek emergency or urgent care if needed; immediate treatment preserves your health and your claim.