What is MedPay Coverage in Nevada?

A wooden stamp marked APPROVED on a document about insurance coverage
A wooden stamp marked APPROVED on a document about insurance coverage

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough without worrying about medical bills. Injuries can quickly lead to mounting costs, from ambulance rides to hospital stays. Many victims are left wondering how to pay these expenses. While health insurance may help, it doesn’t always cover everything. That’s where Med Pay insurance comes in.

Med Pay coverage, or medical payments coverage, is a type of car insurance designed to help pay for your medical expenses after an accident. Unlike health insurance, it’s available regardless of who caused the crash and can cover gaps in your healthcare plan. Yet, many people don’t realize they have this coverage or how to use it effectively.

At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, we understand how overwhelming the aftermath of an auto accident can be. Let us help you understand your rights and options so you can focus on recovering without the stress of unpaid medical bills.

What Is MedPay Coverage?

To register a vehicle in Nevada, vehicle owners must purchase minimum amounts of bodily injury liability insurance. This type of coverage pays for costs associated with injuries to others if you are at fault for an accident. However, liability insurance does not protect you or your passengers.

Medical payment coverage, or MedPay for short, is a type of no-fault insurance that covers the costs of your medical expenses if you are involved in an accident, including pedestrian crashes. MedPay also covers the medical costs of any passengers and residential family members who sustain injuries in vehicle wrecks.

In Nevada, MedPay insurance is optional. You can add this type of coverage to any auto insurance policy through your existing provider.

In fatal motor vehicle collisions, MedPay only reimburses medical and funeral expenses. MedPay coverage does not extend to vehicle repairs, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Are Insurance Companies Required to Offer MedPay in Nevada?

Yes. Under § 687B.145(3) of the Nevada Revised Statutes, all auto insurance providers in the state must offer at least $1,000 in MedPay coverage to any customer purchasing a new policy for a passenger vehicle. However, insurance companies are not required to offer it each time a customer replaces, reinstates, substitutes, or changes their auto coverage policy terms.

Insurance companies are also required to include a copy of their MedPay coverage offers along with renewal paperwork whenever an existing customer renews a policy. Policyholders are permitted to purchase MedPay coverage at any time by submitting a written request to their insurance providers.

Notably, state law also prohibits subrogation by auto insurance providers regarding MedPay benefits. Subrogation refers to an insurance company’s right to seize all or part of any compensation you receive from an at-fault driver. Insurers often use subrogation to reclaim money they pay for your accident-related costs, which can leave you with little to nothing. However, with MedPay benefits, you have no legal obligation to reimburse your insurance provider even if you obtain compensation from the other driver.

How Much Will MedPay Coverage Cost Me?

A person using a calculator while writing a check, sitting at a desk with a laptopThe cost of your MedPay insurance coverage will depend on how much you buy. In most cases, $1,000 in MedPay coverage will cost a few dollars each month on top of your regular auto insurance premiums. Many auto insurance providers offer MedPay coverage in larger increments, such as $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, $10,000, or more.

The potential benefits of MedPay insurance significantly outweigh the relatively small cost. The Las Vegas car accident lawyer at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys recommends clients to purchase as much insurance as they can comfortably afford. Filing just one MedPay insurance claim can easily make up for the lifetime costs of your coverage.

How Does MedPay Insurance Coverage Work?

MedPay insurance supplements your auto and health insurance policies. The no-fault benefits from your MedPay coverage policy allow you to promptly take care of your medical bills without having to wait for insurance adjusters to investigate the accident and determine who was at fault.

Policyholders are not required to make copays or meet deductibles to receive their benefits. You can even use money from your MedPay benefits to cover the costs of copays or deductibles for other health-related insurance policies.

To claim MedPay benefits after a car accident, you must:

  • Obtain medical bills for any care you received for accident-related injuries.
  • Submit those bills to your MedPay insurance company. Most providers cover “reasonable and necessary” costs such as hospital stays, ambulance rides, surgeries, physical therapy, and chiropractic services.

Although MedPay benefits only cover costs from crash-related medical and funeral expenses, they are available in many different circumstances, including:

  • Any time you are involved in a motor vehicle accident as a driver
  • Any time a motorist collides with you as a cyclist or pedestrian
  • Any time your residential family members are involved in a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic accident
  • Any time a passenger in your vehicle sustains injuries in a motor vehicle accident

What Are the Benefits of MedPay Coverage?

Two hands cupping over colorful paper cutouts of a family, symbolizing protection or insurance

Here are the primary benefits of MedPay coverage:

1. Covers Medical Expenses Regardless of Fault

MedPay covers your medical expenses after an accident, even if you were responsible for the crash. This makes it a valuable safety net when other insurance, like health insurance coverage, may take longer for approval.

2. Helps Pay Deductibles and Copays

MedPay can help offset out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copays from your health insurance, reducing your financial burden after an accident.

3. Covers a Wide Range of Expenses

Medical expenses covered typically include:

  • Hospital visits
  • Emergency room care
  • Doctor visits
  • Surgery
  • X-rays
  • Ambulance fees
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Dental care (if related to the accident)
  • Funeral expenses (in tragic circumstances)

4. Applies to Your Passengers

MedPay covers not only the policyholder but also passengers in the insured vehicle, providing peace of mind for everyone involved.

5. Covers Injuries as a Pedestrian or Cyclist

If you are hit by a car while walking or cycling, MedPay can help cover your medical expenses, regardless of whether you’re in your own vehicle or not.

6. Fills Gaps in Coverage

MedPay can be particularly useful for individuals who:

  • Don’t have health insurance
  • Have high-deductible health insurance plans
  • Face limited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage in no-fault states

7. Affordable Add-On

MedPay is generally inexpensive to add to your auto insurance coverage, making it a cost-effective way to enhance your coverage.

8. Protects Against Non-Covered Situations

It covers situations that some health insurance plans might not, such as injuries sustained while using a ride-sharing service or injuries involving passengers who lack adequate insurance coverage.

Contact a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Today

MedPay insurance coverage could help cover your medical expenses after an accident, but only up to the limits of your policy. People who are seriously injured in collisions may need to consider other legal options to receive compensation from the at-fault party(s).

At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, our team will fight to maximize your recovery while you focus on healing and moving forward. Call or contact a Las Vegas car accident lawyer today for a free initial consultation.