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Negotiate your medical and medi-cal bills for the treatment of your injuries

4/14/2009

17 Comments

 

There comes a time in your injury case when you finally reach a settlement agreement of your claims and you have to calculate how the settlement money will be allocated between you, the medical providers/ lien holders and your attorney. 

It's important that you keep in mind that if you are represented by an attorney, the claim of your health insurance company and the medical bills of other medical providers who hold a lien against your case are highly negotiable and in most cases they substantially reduce their charges with one or two calls from your injury lawyer. 

Under the so-called common fund doctrine, the medical provider should generally reduce their charge by at least the percentage of your attorneys' fees. In other words, if your attorney represents you on a 35% contingency fee, the health care providers who treated you for your injuries should reduce their bills by 35% or more. 

Recently, I managed to negotiate a $14,000 bill from Kaiser insurance to under $5,000 because my client's injury settlement was relatively law. 

You should remember that the representative of the medical office or the health insurance company you are engaging in negotiations with has a significant degree of discretion in the discount that he will give you on your medical bills. Thus, it's really worth being courteous, and instead of demanding reduction in the medical charges, you should try to evoke sympathy and explain why reducing charges will be fair and necessary in light of your injuries, recovery and likely necessary future treatment, if in fact you believe you will need the same. 

An important rule to remember is that if Medi-Cal paid for any of your treatment related to your injury for which you recover a settlement, you and your attorney have an affirmative obligation to reimburse Medi-Cal for at least some of the medical costs they covered. Medi-Cal's lien can also be negotiated, and a useful phone number to have to discuss the lien reduction with medi-cal is (916) 650-0490 (personal injury recovery unit).

17 Comments
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9/7/2023 12:39:17 pm

This article provides helpful insights into negotiating medical bills in injury cases. It highlights the importance of discussing bill reductions with healthcare providers and addressing Medi-Cal reimbursements when settling claims.

Reply
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2/1/2024 06:08:55 am

This article provides valuable insights into the negotiation process for medical and Medi-Cal bills related to injury cases. It emphasizes the importance of seeking reductions in medical charges and highlights the common fund doctrine, which suggests that medical providers should reduce their bills by a percentage equivalent to the attorney's fees. The personal experience of negotiating a substantial bill reduction from Kaiser insurance adds credibility to the advice given. Furthermore, the article offers a useful phone number for discussing Medi-Cal lien reduction, making it a helpful resource for those navigating the complexities of medical billing in injury cases.

Reply
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2/2/2024 04:16:49 am

This piece offers crucial information on how to negotiate medical and Medi-Cal bills in the context of injury claims. It underscores the necessity of pursuing lower medical fees and introduces the common fund doctrine, proposing that healthcare providers should decrease their charges in proportion to the attorney's fees. The author's own successful experience in reducing a bill with Kaiser insurance lends authenticity to the recommendations provided. Additionally, the article includes a valuable contact number for inquiries about reducing Medi-Cal liens, making it a beneficial guide for individuals dealing with the intricacies of medical billing in injury situations.

Reply
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2/15/2024 06:11:39 pm

This article provides essential insights into negotiating medical bills and Medi-Cal claims within the realm of injury cases. It highlights the importance of seeking reduced medical costs and discusses the common fund doctrine, suggesting that healthcare providers adjust their fees in line with the attorney's fees. The writer's personal account of successfully negotiating a lower bill with Kaiser insurance adds credibility to the advice given. Furthermore, the piece offers a helpful contact number for those looking to minimize Medi-Cal liens, serving as a useful resource for anyone navigating the complexities of medical billing after an injury.

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2/19/2024 09:55:06 pm

This article provides valuable insights into negotiating medical bills and liens after reaching a settlement agreement in an injury case. The author's firsthand experience and practical tips offer guidance on how to navigate the complex process of reducing medical charges, especially when represented by an attorney. By highlighting the importance of communication, courtesy, and understanding the legal obligations regarding Medi-Cal reimbursement, the article empowers individuals to advocate for fair treatment and allocation of settlement funds. It's reassuring to know that there are strategies available to help manage medical expenses effectively, ensuring that injury victims receive the compensation they deserve without undue financial burden.

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3/19/2024 08:33:19 pm

This article provides valuable insight into negotiating medical bills and liens after reaching a settlement agreement in an injury case, highlighting the importance of understanding your rights and options. It's encouraging to learn that medical bills and liens are often negotiable, potentially resulting in significant reductions in expenses for individuals involved in such cases. The author's personal experience in negotiating a substantial bill down to a more manageable amount demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. Additionally, the reminder about the obligation to reimburse Medi-Cal for related medical costs underscores the importance of handling such matters responsibly. Overall, this article offers practical advice and empowers readers to advocate for themselves effectively in navigating the financial aspects of injury settlements.

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3/31/2024 08:12:28 pm

This article provides valuable insights into negotiating medical bills and Medi-Cal liens after reaching a settlement in an injury case. The author's experience in successfully negotiating substantial reductions in medical bills highlights the importance of advocating for fair and reasonable charges. The emphasis on maintaining a courteous approach during negotiations and explaining the necessity of reductions based on the severity of injuries and future treatment needs is particularly helpful. Additionally, the reminder about the affirmative obligation to reimburse Medi-Cal and the provided phone number for discussing lien reduction further enhances the practicality of the article. Overall, this piece effectively educates readers on navigating the complex process of negotiating medical bills and Medi-Cal liens, empowering them to ensure fair allocation of settlement funds. Great job on providing such valuable guidance and resources to those dealing with injury settlements!

Reply
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4/7/2024 10:55:01 pm

This article offers valuable guidance on negotiating medical bills and liens following a settlement agreement in an injury case. Drawing from the author's firsthand experience and practical insights, it provides valuable tips for navigating the intricate process of reducing medical charges, particularly with legal representation. By emphasizing the significance of effective communication, courtesy, and understanding legal obligations, especially regarding Medi-Cal reimbursement, the article empowers individuals to advocate for fair treatment and proper allocation of settlement funds. It's comforting to learn that there are strategies available to assist in managing medical expenses efficiently, thereby ensuring that injury victims receive the compensation they rightfully deserve without enduring undue financial strain.

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4/10/2024 06:22:27 am

This article offers invaluable insights into negotiating medical bills and liens subsequent to reaching a settlement agreement in an injury case. Drawing from the author's firsthand experience and practical advice, it provides guidance on navigating the intricate process of reducing medical charges, particularly when represented by an attorney. By emphasizing the significance of effective communication, courtesy, and comprehension of legal obligations concerning Medi-Cal reimbursement, the article empowers individuals to advocate for equitable treatment and appropriate allocation of settlement funds. It's reassuring to discover that there are strategies accessible to assist in effectively managing medical expenses, thereby ensuring that injury victims receive rightful compensation without enduring undue financial strain.

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4/17/2024 12:35:02 am

This article provides invaluable insights into negotiating medical bills and liens after reaching a settlement agreement in an injury case. Drawing from the author's firsthand experience and practical advice, it offers guidance on navigating the complex process of reducing medical charges, especially when represented by an attorney. By highlighting the importance of effective communication, courtesy, and understanding of legal obligations regarding Medi-Cal reimbursement, the article empowers individuals to advocate for fair treatment and proper allocation of settlement funds. It's reassuring to learn that there are strategies available to help effectively manage medical expenses, ensuring that injury victims receive rightful compensation without enduring excessive financial burden.

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Grace Legal Group Inc. link
5/8/2024 10:56:45 pm

This article provides valuable insight into negotiating medical bills and Medi-Cal liens after reaching a settlement agreement in an injury case. The author's experience in successfully negotiating substantial reductions in medical bills demonstrates the importance of seeking professional guidance from an injury lawyer. The advice to approach negotiations with courtesy and empathy, rather than demanding reductions, is particularly helpful, as it highlights the importance of effective communication in achieving favorable outcomes. Additionally, the reminder about the obligation to reimburse Medi-Cal for covered medical costs underscores the importance of understanding the legal obligations involved in settling injury claims. Overall, this article empowers individuals to navigate the complex process of settling medical bills with confidence and clarity, making it a valuable resource for anyone involved in an injury case.

Reply
Grace Legal Group Inc. link
5/9/2024 01:22:09 am

This article provides valuable insight into negotiating medical and Medi-Cal bills after reaching a settlement agreement for injury claims. The author's experience and success in negotiating significant reductions in medical bills demonstrate the importance of understanding the negotiation process. I appreciate the practical advice offered, such as approaching negotiations with courtesy and explaining the necessity of reduced charges due to injuries and future treatment needs. The mention of Medi-Cal's lien and the provided phone number for discussing lien reduction adds further clarity to the process. Overall, this article has helped me grasp the importance of negotiating medical bills effectively in injury cases, and I feel more confident about navigating this aspect of the settlement process. Great job!

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5/10/2024 12:04:20 am

This article offers valuable insights into negotiating medical and Medi-Cal bills following a settlement agreement for injury claims. The author's expertise and achievements in negotiating substantial reductions in medical bills underscore the significance of understanding the negotiation process. I appreciate the practical advice provided, such as approaching negotiations with courtesy and explaining the necessity of reduced charges due to injuries and future treatment needs. The inclusion of information about Medi-Cal's lien and the provided phone number for discussing lien reduction adds further clarity to the process. Overall, this article has enhanced my understanding of the importance of negotiating medical bills effectively in injury cases, and I feel more confident about navigating this aspect of the settlement process. Well done!

Reply
Chad Smith link
8/12/2024 02:20:56 pm

The medical bills of other medical providers who hold a lien against your case are highly negotiable and in most cases they substantially reduce their charges with one or two calls from your injury lawyer. Thank you for taking the time to write a great post!

Reply
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8/27/2024 11:23:03 pm

This article was really helpful in showing how to handle medical and Medi-Cal bills after an injury settlement. I learned a lot about how important it is to negotiate these bills and the right way to go about it. The advice on being polite during negotiations and explaining why you need lower charges makes so much sense. Knowing about Medi-Cal’s lien and having a phone number to call for help was a great touch too. Overall, this article has made me feel more confident about managing medical bills after a settlement. You did an amazing job making this topic clear and easy to understand. Thanks for the great info!

Reply
Criminal Lawyer Los Angeles link
8/27/2024 11:57:06 pm

This article is incredibly helpful and informative about negotiating medical and Medi-Cal bills after settling an injury claim. The author’s success in reducing medical bills really shows how important it is to know how to handle these negotiations. I found the advice about being polite and explaining why reduced charges are needed, especially for future treatments, very useful. The details about Medi-Cal’s lien and the phone number for discussing reductions made the whole process clearer. Thanks to this article, I now understand how crucial it is to negotiate medical bills carefully in injury cases, and I feel much more prepared to handle this part of the settlement. Fantastic job on making such a complicated topic so accessible!

Reply
Criminal Defense Attorney link
8/28/2024 12:25:04 am

This article is fantastic! It really helped me understand how to handle medical bills and Medi-Cal liens after settling an injury case. Learning about how the author managed to negotiate big reductions in medical bills showed me why it's so important to have a skilled injury lawyer. The tips on negotiating with kindness and understanding were super helpful, and I now see how important it is to know about repaying Medi-Cal for covered costs. This article made a complicated process much clearer and gave me the confidence to deal with these issues. Great job explaining everything so well!

Reply



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  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Wrongful Termination >
      • At-Will Employment
      • Termination After Unfair Warnings and Write-Ups
      • Union Grievance, Workers Comp and Wrongful Termination
      • Labor Code 970 Claims
      • Promissory Estoppel and Employment Contracts
      • Implied Contract Claims
    • Discrimination >
      • Proving Discrimination
      • Age Discrimination
      • Disability Discrimination >
        • Protected Disabilities
        • Medical Leave / Disability Accommodations
        • Job Reassignment As A Disability Accommodation
        • SSI Disability Benefits and Your Court Case
        • Sample Request for Reasonable Accommodation
      • Pregnancy Discrimination
      • Race Discrimination
      • Sample Discrimination Complaint
      • DFEH and EEOC Investigations
    • Retaliation >
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      • Retaliation for Complaining
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    • Harassment
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    • Leaves of Absence >
      • Medical Leave as Reasonable Accommodation
      • FMLA Entitlement and Reinstatement to Work
      • CFRA Leave
      • Employers' FMLA Notice Obligations
      • Paternity Leave (FMLA)
      • Sample FMLA Leave Request
    • Wages / Overtime Claims >
      • Wage Claims
      • Employee or Contractor
      • Exempt / Non-Exempt >
        • Admistrative Exemption
        • IT Support Specialists Compensation
        • Computer Professional Exemption from Overtime
        • Recruiters / Account Executives Exemption
        • Complaining About Being Misclassified
      • Vacation Pay / PTO
      • On-Call Time Compensation
      • Deductions fr. Commissions
    • Unempl. Benefits Appeals >
      • Tips for EDD Phone Interview
      • Unemployment Benefits Appeal Hearing Representation
      • CUIAB Hearing Tips
    • Employment Law Blog
    • For Employers
  • Personal Injury
    • Five Tips For Injury Cases
    • Slip-and-Fall Injuries
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    • Recorded Statements
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    • Healthy Litigation Mindset
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