U.S. Medical Bills and Liens — What BC Families Need to Know
When we take on a case, one of the first steps is obtaining the medical records and hospital billing information. Many Canadians are understandably shocked to learn that a brief emergency-room visit or a short hospital stay in the United States can generate bills well into the six-figure range.
While U.S. medical billing can appear alarming, it is manageable in the context of a personal injury or wrongful-death claim.
In wrongful-death cases, hospital and medical bills are often written off entirely by U.S. providers. In personal injury cases, once a medical provider knows the injured person is represented by counsel, providers will typically wait for the legal claim to resolve rather than demanding immediate payment.
We have more than 20 years of experience dealing directly with U.S. hospitals, billing departments, and medical lienholders. Our process includes:
- reviewing medical bills for accuracy,
- communicating with providers to prevent collection activity, and
- negotiating substantial reductions as the case approaches resolution.
Significant bill reductions are common in U.S. injury cases, particularly where insurance limits are involved. Hospitals and billing companies routinely agree to accept a fraction of the stated charges rather than pursue uncertain recovery.
When our firm is retained, we handle all medical billing and lien issues, including:
- U.S. hospital and provider liens
- MSP reimbursement claims
- Travel-insurance subrogation claims
Our goal is to ensure that medical billing issues are addressed professionally and strategically, so families can focus on recovery while the legal process moves forward.