After a motor vehicle crash, you will likely be confronted with what may sound like a new language – legal and medical terms used in your injury case. “First-Party Medical Bill Claims” is an example.
With 75 years of experience and with some of the nation’s most honored lawyers on our team, Lenahan & Dempsey is well-versed in legal and insurance language, and we are prepared to help you.
Understanding First-Party Medical Bill Claims
First-party medical claims refer to insurance claims you make against your own insurance policy to cover medical expenses resulting from a motor vehicle accident.
In Pennsylvania, drivers are required to have a minimum of $5,000.00 in first-party medical payment coverage under their own automobile insurance policy. Drivers have the option to purchase first-party medical bill coverage higher than that amount.
Many people are surprised to learn that even if the motor vehicle crash was someone else’s fault, the first place you must look to have your medical bills paid when you are injured in a motor vehicle accident is the automobile insurance policy covering you or someone in your household.
There are instances where first-party medical claims may also be made under your health insurance policy, after the first-party medical benefits under the policy in your household is exhausted.
Navigating the often-complex rules of first-party medical claims requires a clear understanding of the legal principles and procedures involved.
Key Points of First-Party Medical Claims
In most First Party Medical Claims, there are a number of key points that come into play – including:
- Policy Coverage Limits: These limits dictate the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for medical expenses. Pennsylvania requires that all automobile insurance policies have at least $5,000.00 in first party medical expense coverage. Coverage beyond that amount is optional.
- Medical Documentation: Gathering the proper documentation of medical expenses is crucial when making a first-party medical claim. This includes medical bills, any receipts you may have, treatment records, and any other relevant documents that show the necessity and cost of the medical treatment received. When you retain Lenahan & Dempsey as your lawyers, they will take on the responsibility of gathering this material on your behalf, so you can concentrate on your recovery.
- Timely Reporting: When you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you are usually required to promptly inform your insurance company. This is vitally important in first-party medical claims. Failure to report the incident within the specified timeframe in your policy can possibly result in a denial of your claim.
Cooperation with The Insurer: While you should never sign anything from an insurance company before it is reviewed by your Lenahan & Dempsey lawyer, it is important to cooperate fully with your own insurance company during the claims process. Your insurance policy will contain specific provisions outlining what information you must provide to your insurer after an accident or what actions you are required to take, such as providing requested documentation, attending medical examinations if required, and following any other procedures outlined in your insurance policy to facilitate the processing of your claim.
Because this process can be complicated and because failing to abide by the terms of your insurance policy can affect your right to receive insurance benefits under the policy, it is important to contact Lenahan & Dempsey as soon as possible after an accident, so that we can advise you of what you are required to do under your insurance policy and make sure you do not jeopardize your right to first-party medical benefits.
Denial of First-Party Medical Claims
Sometimes insurance companies will pay for your medical bills immediately after the accident, but then will deny ongoing medical bills on the basis they are not reasonable, necessary, or related to the accident. The lawyers at Lenahan & Dempsey can help make sure the insurance company takes your case seriously – and fight for every dollar you are entitled to receive. If the insurance company acted in “bad faith,” the damages you are entitled to recover can far exceed the value of your claim for first party medical bills.
Attorney Timothy Lenahan, Managing Partner at Lenahan & Dempsey, along with Attorney Christine S. Lezinski, were the trial and appellate legal counsel in the landmark case of Hollock v Erie. This case, which we won in front of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, helped establish Bad Faith laws in Pennsylvania.
Thanks to Attorney Lenahan’s and Attorney Lezinski’s efforts and legal skills, this groundbreaking case established the right of individuals to be treated fairly by their insurance companies and, when they fail to do so, insurance companies can be held liable for often severe penalties known as “punitive damages,” which can be far in excess of the value of the original property damage claim.
Attorney Timothy Lenahan was named by Best Lawyers In America as the Insurance Lawyer of the year for 2024-2025 for his work protecting the rights of the injured against giant insurance companies for the region of Northeastern/Central Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. He is a past Best Lawyers in America Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year for that region for his work fighting for the rights of injured people.
Eight of our lawyers have been named both to Best Lawyers in America as well as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Three, John R. Lenahan, Jr. (our Firm President), Timothy Lenahan and Matthew Dempsey are named to The Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania (out of over 48,000 lawyers in Pennsylvania).
Our success in winning Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our clients has also led to Judges and our peers voting us for inclusion in The Best Law Firms in America, and we are listed as a Tier 1 law firm (the highest rating).
Call Us
With offices across the region and a willingness to travel to you to meet, call us at Lenahan & Dempsey so we can get to work getting you the money you need and deserve.
We pledge to fight aggressively for you and your family.
We’re available 24/7 at 1.888.536.2426. Call us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. There are no fees until you get the money you deserve.
What Can You Expect When Working With Lenahan & Dempsey
We have recovered Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our clients across almost all fields of Personal Injury, Insurance Bad Faith and Workers’ Compensation law.
\We fully understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a case can take on victims and their families. Our highly dedicated team of lawyers and paralegals can point to a history of success supporting our clients and winning the money they need to rebuild their lives.
