What a lien is
- It is an agreement, not insurance. It says the provider will be paid from your recovery in the injury case.
- It defers payment; it does not cancel the bill. You are still responsible for the care you receive.
- The terms are in writing. The agreement spells out how and when the bill is paid, and what happens if the case does not resolve. Read it before you sign.
When a lien is used
A lien is typically used when you have a personal injury attorney and a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance. Your attorney signs an agreement, sometimes called a letter of protection, to pay the provider from the settlement before the rest of the recovery is paid out.
It is one way to pay for care after a crash. Others are MedPay on your own policy and, when the other driver had no insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage. See MedPay after a car accident and what to do when the other driver had no insurance.
What it means for you
- The provider's bill becomes part of your injury case, and it is paid when the case resolves.
- Your records from the provider document the injury and the care, visit by visit.
- Ask for the agreement in writing, and ask what you will owe. At Oakland Accident Care, what you owe is confirmed in writing before your first visit.
Oakland Accident Care does not recommend a specific law firm, and accepts no fee, referral payment, or consideration of any kind from any attorney.
Payment at Oakland Accident Care
Auto insurance, MedPay, PIP, and liens accepted. The clinic does not bill health insurance or workers' comp. We check your policy before your first visit, and what you owe is confirmed in writing before your first visit.
Common questions
Do I need a lawyer to be treated on a lien?
A lien is typically used when an attorney is handling your injury claim. You can be treated whether or not you have an attorney; the clinic checks your coverage and tells you in writing what you will owe before your first visit.
What happens if my case does not settle?
The lien agreement says what happens in that case. A lien defers payment; it does not cancel the bill. Read the agreement before you sign it.
Is a lien the same as a letter of protection?
They are closely related. A letter of protection is the attorney's written promise to pay the provider from the settlement, and it is one common form of lien agreement.