Do you need MedPay? Yes, you may think you don’t need MedPay if you already have health insurance, but the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Most states offer Med Pay, but there are a few that don’t, including Oregon, Minnesota, New York, and North Dakota. What is ‘Med Pay,’ you may be wondering – a great question!
What Is Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)?
Medical payments coverage is an add-on to an auto insurance policy that covers expenses related to vehicular accidents. Also called “MedPay,” it covers you and any passengers in your vehicle, any pedestrians you may injure, and; if you are riding as a passenger in another vehicle or are injured by a vehicle as a pedestrian, bike rider, or public transportation rider.
While every state requires vehicle owners to have an auto insurance policy, the same can’t be said for ‘MedPay’.
What does med pay cover? Imagine you get into a car accident that results in injury to you or another person. Med Pay may cover:
- Doctor or hospital visits
- Professional nursing services
- Surgery, X-rays or prostheses
- Health insurance deductibles and copays
- Ambulance and emergency medical technician fees
- Med Pay may also cover medical bills if you or one of your family members is hit by a car while on foot or riding in someone else’s vehicle.
Understanding MedPay
MedPay applies to a variety of expenses relating to injuries stemming from an automobile accident. It covers medical payments, such as health insurance deductibles and co-pays, visits to a doctor or hospital, X-rays and surgery, ambulance and emergency medical technician fees, rehabilitation and nursing care, and some medical equipment, such as prostheses. The coverage takes effect regardless of which driver is considered at fault for the accident.
Because MedPay also extends to pedestrians who might be injured in an accident, as well as the policyholder if hit as a pedestrian, it may be more useful in urban areas. This is because pedestrians are more likely to be injured while walking in an urban area than in a suburban or rural area, due to the greater incidence of foot traffic.
It is also useful in a situation in which you did not drive responsibly. Even if your auto insurance policy is a no-fault one, it does not cover you if you caused an accident due to alcohol or drug use. In such a case only MedPay would take care of your own medical expenses.
MedPay is supplemental to your regular health insurance, and rules and regulations vary by jurisdiction about which is the primary payer for various treatments and medical expenses.
Which states does MedPay Cover?
This coverage is optional and it isn’t available in all states; most states offer Med Pay, but there are a few that don’t, including Oregon, Minnesota, New York, and North Dakota. Medical payments coverage IS required in:
- Maine
- Pennsylvania
- New Hampshire
You may think you don’t need Med Pay if you already have health insurance, but the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Med Pay can serve as a safety net in case you exceed your health plan’s limits or receive charges the plan doesn’t cover, including chiropractic care or an ambulance ride. Med Pay may also help to cover your health insurance deductible or co-pays incurred for car accident treatment.
How much does MedPay Cost?
Med Pay typically doesn’t cost that much more on top of your other insurance policies. It may run you an extra $10 per month, more or less depending on your state of residency. Whatever the cost may be, it will definitely give you extra peace of mind.
Conclusion
Medical payments coverage (MedPay) is an add-on to auto insurance that covers expenses related to vehicular accidents.
MedPay covers you and any passengers in your vehicle, any pedestrians you may injure, and you; if you are riding as a passenger in another vehicle or are injured by a vehicle as a pedestrian, bike rider, or public transportation rider.
MedPay is supplemental to your health insurance; which one is primary coverage depends upon your health insurance policy.
