Canadian injured in usa and travel insurance refusing to pay medical bills - what do you do?

Canadian's traveling to the United States often have travel health insurance in the event of an injury.  Sometimes, after discharge from the hospital, and once you return home to Canada, you may find that the medical bills have not been paid by your insurance provider.  Maybe you got a bill from the Hospital or other healthcare provider or were even put into collections for an unpaid medical bill.  If this situation happens, it is important to understand your rights and what other options may be available to you.

Travel health insurance plans are contracts and will be governed by the policy.  An experienced insurance lawyer may be able to assist you in obtaining payment of your medical bills from your travel health insurance plan. In some situations, there may be other solutions where there is a shortfall or denial of reimbursement or payment from a travel health insurance plan,  For instance, if the injury arises because of a motor vehicle accident in the United States, as a Canadian you may have rights to advance your healthcare expenses against the insurance company for the at-fault party.  Many Canadians also have underinsured motorist coverage and first-party no-fault insurance through their own motor vehicle insurance policy.  These coverages can also be sources of payment for medical expenses incurred in the United States because of an accident.  

It is also important to know that, if your travel health insurance has paid some or all of your medical bills in the United States, they will seek reminbursement or subrogation against the party that caused your injury.  You may be required to advance a claim on behalf of the travel insurance carrier if you decide to bring a claim against the at-fault party.

If you or a loved one has been injured in the United States and have incurred medical bills, contact us to learn more about your rights to have these expenses covered. 

Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew is a licensed attorney in Florida, Texas, Michigan and Ontario.  He restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States.  Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way".