Detailed Answer
If you cannot afford medical bills after an accident in New Hampshire, those bills can sometimes be paid from money you recover from a claim or lawsuit—but how that works depends on several factors. Below is a plain-language explanation of the common pathways for payment, what to watch for, and steps you should take right away.
Who might pay your bills first?
Most people have one or more of the following sources that will pay medical costs after an accident:
- Health insurance: Your private health insurer, Medicare, or Medicaid will usually pay emergency and covered treatment; those insurers often have a right to be reimbursed from any settlement (subrogation or reimbursement claim).
- Auto insurance coverages: Some auto policies include Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) that pay medical costs regardless of fault. New Hampshire does not require PIP statewide the way no‑fault states do, so availability depends on your policy. Check your own auto policy and the other driver’s policy.
- The at‑fault party’s liability insurer: If another driver (or a property owner, product manufacturer, etc.) caused the crash, their liability insurer may pay your medical bills as part of a claim or settlement for your injuries.
- Workers’ compensation: If the injury happened at work, workers’ compensation insurance can cover medical care and lost wages.
Will a settlement or court award cover medical bills?
Yes—but settlements and verdicts typically compensate you for all damages (past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other losses). How much of your settlement actually goes to pay bills depends on:
- whether insurers or medical providers have valid liens or subrogation claims against the settlement;
- how much you recover overall; and
- your attorney’s fees and litigation costs if you hire a lawyer (usually taken as a percentage of the recovery on contingency cases).
What are liens and subrogation and how do they affect your recovery?
If your health insurer or a medical provider paid or provided your care, they may seek repayment from any settlement. That repayment claim is called subrogation (when an insurer seeks reimbursement) or a medical lien (when a provider asserts a lien on the settlement). Those claims reduce the amount that ends up in your pocket unless they are negotiated down.
Because New Hampshire law and individual contracts (insurance policies and provider agreements) control these reimbursement rights, you’ll often need to negotiate with insurers and providers to reduce what they demand. Your lawyer can handle those negotiations and may be able to obtain reductions.
What if you have no insurance and cannot pay the hospital?
Hospitals and providers commonly offer several options:
- charity or financial assistance programs;
- payment plans or billing discounts if you pay directly or agree to a payment schedule;
- agreements to delay collection while a personal injury claim is pending; and
- negotiation of reduced bills, especially when a settlement is expected.
Do not ignore medical bills. Instead, contact the billing office and explain you have an injury claim pending. Ask about charity programs and whether they will place a temporary hold on collections while your claim proceeds.
Practical steps to protect your ability to get bills paid from a claim
- Seek prompt medical care and keep detailed records of treatment and costs.
- Notify your own health and auto insurers promptly and follow their claim procedures.
- Preserve evidence (photos, police report, contact info for witnesses).
- Tell medical providers you have an injury claim and ask if they will wait to pursue collection until your claim resolves.
- Do not sign away your right to sue or accept any settlement without understanding whether it covers medical bills and whether third parties will seek reimbursement.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney early. Attorneys working on contingency often advance costs and negotiate medical liens so you don’t have to pay thousands upfront.
Special considerations in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s official sources can help you understand insurance and court procedures. For statute texts and general legal rules see the New Hampshire Revised Statutes at https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/. For guidance on insurance basics, visit the New Hampshire Insurance Department at https://www.nh.gov/insurance/. For court and filing information, see the New Hampshire Judicial Branch at https://www.courts.state.nh.us/.
When to hire an attorney
Consider hiring an attorney if:
- you have significant medical bills or serious injury;
- the at‑fault insurer denies or undervalues your claim;
- multiple insurers or lien holders claim reimbursement; or
- you are unsure how payments and liens will be resolved.
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency (they take a percentage of the recovery), so you usually do not pay attorney fees upfront.
Bottom line
Your medical bills can often be paid out of a successful accident claim, but third parties (health insurers and medical providers) may have rights to reimbursement from your settlement. Acting quickly, keeping records, coordinating with insurers, and getting legal help when needed will protect your recovery and minimize the risk that you will be left with unpaid bills.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice specific to your situation, contact a licensed New Hampshire attorney.
Helpful Hints
- Keep a file: store medical bills, medical records, all insurance communications, photos, and police reports in one place.
- Tell providers about your claim: ask if they will place a temporary hold on collections while your claim is pending.
- Check your auto and health policies: look for MedPay, PIP, uninsured motorist, and subrogation clauses.
- Ask about hospital charity care or sliding-fee programs if you’re uninsured.
- Don’t sign releases or accept settlement offers until you understand whether they cover future medical costs and lien obligations.
- If an insurer or provider claims reimbursement, ask for a written explanation of the basis and the exact amount being claimed.
- Contact the New Hampshire Insurance Department if you have questions about insurer conduct: https://www.nh.gov/insurance/.
- Speak with a personal injury attorney experienced in negotiating liens and subrogation—this can preserve more of your settlement for you.