{"id":54125,"date":"2025-03-05T11:08:59","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T19:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getjerry.com\/?p=54125"},"modified":"2025-06-19T11:16:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T18:16:46","slug":"what-is-medical-payments-coverage","status":"publish","type":"car-insurance","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/car-insurance\/what-is-medical-payments-coverage\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Medical Payments Coverage in Auto Insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>MedPay, also known as medical payments or medical expense coverage, is an <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/types-of-car-insurance\/\">optional protection<\/a> available in most states that helps to pay eligible upfront medical expenses for you and\/or your passengers if you\u2019re involved in a car accident.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If another driver is at-fault for the accident, their <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/what-is-liability-car-insurance-and-what-does-it-cover\/\">liability insurance coverage<\/a> is designed to pay your medical expenses, but because those claims can take time to process, medical payments coverage can help foot the bill for your eligible care up front.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MedPay can either reimburse policyholders and their passengers for healthcare costs or directly pay medical providers, without a deductible or copay. Without this coverage, you may have to pay some or all of your accident-related medical bills out of your own pocket.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"covered\">What is covered by medical payments auto insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>MedPay covers expenses like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ambulance and emergency room fees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Doctor visits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hospital stays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surgical expenses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dental care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surgery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and other imaging.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical equipment and prostheses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical therapy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chiropractic care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nursing services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Funeral expenses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Medical payments insurance also extends to you and your family when you\u2019re riding in someone else\u2019s vehicle, riding a bike or walking down the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/best-car-insurance-companies\/\">Best car insurance companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-card !mbs-16 !mbe-16 shadow-variant-card flex min-h-64 w-[330px] min-w-[330px] flex-col justify-between gap-10 overflow-hidden rounded-xl p-8\"><div class=\"flex flex-col gap-3\"><span class=\"text-lg font-semibold text-slate-900\">What the experts say<\/span><div class=\"jerry-block-content text-sm text-slate-700\">\n<p>If you have health insurance, it&#8217;ll probably cover your medical expenses after an accident. There are some health policies that do not provide primary coverage for accident-related injuries, though, so be sure to read your coverage documents carefully.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"flex items-stretch\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-2 size-14 rounded-full border border-gray-300\" src=\"https:\/\/getjerry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Stephanie-Colestock-150x150.png\" alt=\"Image\"fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"ml-2 flex flex-col text-sm\"><div class=\"text-primary mt-2 font-medium\">Stephanie C.<\/div><div class=\"font-medium text-slate-900\">Insurance writer<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s excluded in medical payments coverage?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike personal injury protection (PIP), MedPay excludes lost wages and essential services, like grocery delivery or lawn care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MedPay only covers expenses up to your chosen policy limit. Your insurer may also have non-standard exclusions, such as expenses incurred more than one year after your accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/types-of-car-insurance\/\">The most common types of car insurance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"required\">Am I required to buy medical payments coverage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>MedPay coverage is optional in most states, but drivers in <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/maine\/\">Maine<\/a> and <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/new-hampshire\/\">New Hampshire<\/a> are generally required to purchase it as part of their personal auto policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In Maine, policyowners must purchase at least $2,000 per person in MedPay coverage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In New Hampshire, drivers are required to purchase at least $1,000 in medical payments coverage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Drivers in most other states have the option to purchase or decline this added protection. Not all insurers offer MedPay to drivers in all areas, so be sure to <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/shopping-for-auto-insurance\/\">compare car insurance quotes<\/a> if you want this type of protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-cta\"><div class=\"flex flex-col items-start gap-4 rounded-xl border border-zinc-200 px-12 py-8 md:flex-row md:items-center md:gap-14\"><div class=\"flex-1\"><span class=\"text-xl font-black text-gray-900\">SAVE IN MINUTES WITH SIMPLIFIED HOME + AUTO BUNDLING<\/span><\/div><div class=\"flex-1\"><a href=\"\/signup\" class=\"bg-primary block w-full rounded-full px-14 py-2 text-center font-black text-white hover:no-underline\">Find savings now<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-much\">How much medical payments coverage do I need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Maine and New Hampshire drivers must purchase at least their state\u2019s minimum amount of required coverage. Other drivers can purchase as much coverage as their insurer offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few questions to help you determine whether to add MedPay to your policy, and how much you may need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do you have active health insurance?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is your health insurance deductible and annual out-of-pocket maximum?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you don\u2019t have health insurance, do you have adequate savings to cover upfront medical expenses?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you do have health insurance, can you afford to pay your deductible or annual maximum out-of-pocket costs, potentially all at once?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Insurers commonly offer MedPay limits ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 or more. Consider choosing a limit that at least covers your annual health insurance deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. If you don\u2019t have health insurance, a higher limit can offer better protection against unexpected medical bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/car-insurance\/how-much-car-insurance-do-i-need\/\">How much car insurance do you need?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-medpay-works\">How does MedPay coverage work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A claim must be filed to use your MedPay coverage, either by you or the other driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, notify your insurance company that you\u2019ve been injured in an accident to activate your MedPay coverage. You may be asked to provide information about the accident, a copy of the police report, and in some cases, sign a release form before benefits can be disbursed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your adjuster has all relevant information, you can start filing against your coverage. If you have already incurred eligible expenses, like a copay or the cost of prescription medication, you can submit those receipts to your insurance company. The adjuster assigned to your claim will review the information, request additional info if necessary, and issue reimbursement payments once approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Certain medical providers may offer to bill your auto insurance company directly. Once approved, your insurer will issue a payment directly to the medical office, up to your total coverage limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"!mbs-12 !mbe-12 wp-block-jerry-faqs\">\n  <!-- Title -->\n    <h2 class=\"medium-title text-black mb-1.5 pt-12 uppercase\">\n    FAQ  <\/h2>\n  \n  <!-- Accordion -->\n  \n<div class=\"max-w-screen-lg my-6 [&amp;_li:last-child]:border-b-0\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-jerry-accordion\">\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 is-style-accordion-item-default wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        Which states require medical payments coverage?      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>Maine and New Hampshire require drivers to carry medical payments insurance. Drivers in other states can purchase the coverage as an added protection on a standard auto insurance policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        Does bodily injury liability insurance cover medical expenses?      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>Your auto insurance policy\u2019s <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/bodily-injury-liability\/\">bodily injury liability<\/a> coverage extends to injuries that you cause to someone else, if you\u2019re deemed at-fault for an accident. It does not cover your own medical expenses or those of your passengers. If you\u2019re injured in an accident and another driver is at-fault, their own bodily injury liability coverage should pay for your medical expenses<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        How do PIP and MedPay differ?      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>The biggest difference between personal injury protection (PIP) and MedPay is that PIP can cover things like lost wages and essential services, while MedPay is limited to medical costs. PIP is required in 15 states while MedPay is only required in two.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n  <!-- Contact link -->\n  <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Medical payments coverage (MedPay) pays eligible medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured in an accident, regardless of fault, but can also pay for things like funeral expenses. It is usually optional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":54131,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"single-advice","meta":{"jerry_authors":"[{\"id\":\"372\",\"type\":\"main-author\"},{\"id\":\"370\",\"type\":\"editor\"},{\"id\":\"187\",\"type\":\"reviewer\"}]","jerry_author_ids":[372],"jerry_idx_page_label":"","jerry_meta_desc":"If you or your loved ones are injured in a car accident, you may face many upfront medical expenses. MedPay insurance coverage can pay for this care.","jerry_related_posts":"[5226,34567,4971,25211,5161]","jerry_summary":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[31],"class_list":["post-54125","car-insurance","type-car-insurance","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-car-insurance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-insurance\/54125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-insurance"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/car-insurance"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/87"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54125"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-insurance\/54125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62190,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-insurance\/54125\/revisions\/62190"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}