Q: If auto insurance adjuster put aside $25,000 for medical bills, can I request that sum be paid to me and pay the bill?

A: Sometimes it’s possible to make such demands, but sometimes it’s not. It’s very fact driven. In order to answer your question, with certainty, I’d need more information. It might be best to hire a lawyer to navigate these issues with you, in detail, before accepting any settlement.

A: You most likely didn't have an attorney. If the insurance carrier is on notice of your medical billing they will never let you pay directly because if you get the money and don't pay then they are on the hook. If you had an attorney then you attorney would handle it and most times (at least I do) get the medical bills reduced because you have an attorney. And whatever you do you should not sign a Release until you get your pain and suffering money agreed to in writing. Good luck to you and DON'T trust the insurance company because they want to pay you as little as possible. TED

A: He who controls the money... has the power. Unfortunately, that's not you. The insurance company wants to deal with the medical providers because the insurer will negotiate a lower settlement with the hospital/doctors. If your bills are $25K the insurer may try to negotiate them down to $12K, and pocket the rest. You want to control the money so offer to include a clause in your settlement agreement stating that you will satisfy medical lien holders and will indemnify the insurer. BUT, if Medi-Cal or MediCare is involved... all bets are off and the insurance company will NOT disburse any funds to you until the government liens are paid. In that case you still want to be the one negotiating the lien because any money saved therein goes in your pocket. It will just take longer. As already stated by my colleagues... do NOT trust the insurance company. Contact a Justia personal injury attorney for a free consultation. Good luck!

A: You can request. It can refuse. Until you get a judgment against its insured, the insurance company owes you nothing. You negotiated a foolish deal. Your claim is much more than medical expenses. You reserved nothing for pain and suffering, or past or future wage loss, probably to save on attorney fees. Call a personal injury attorney to get some real advice on your potential claims.

A: You could ask, but it is common for carriers to follow the protocol you describe. Once they close a file, they don't want the possibility of having to deal with a medical provider who was not paid. That's why they may insist on reconciling medical bills/liens themselves. Good luck

A: Insurance companies typically prefer to pay medical providers directly to ensure proper documentation and prevent potential fraud. When they set aside funds for medical expenses, this money is specifically earmarked for healthcare costs and usually needs to be paid directly to the medical facilities that provided your care.

You could potentially negotiate with the insurance company, but they have valid reasons for wanting to handle the payments themselves. They need to verify that the medical expenses are legitimate and related to the accident, plus they often can negotiate better rates with healthcare providers than individuals can. This direct payment approach also helps protect you from any future claims or liens that medical providers might file.

Your best course of action is to continue working with the insurance company to process these payments directly. Since you've already received compensation for other aspects like pain and suffering, lost wages, and vehicle damage, the medical portion is best handled through their established processes. If you have specific concerns about particular medical bills or providers, you can discuss these with your claims adjuster to ensure everything is properly coordinated.