How Medical Payments Coverage Works
No-fault coverage: Like PIP, MedPay pays for medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. Whether you're at fault, the other driver is at fault, or fault is unclear, your MedPay coverage pays your medical bills.
First-party coverage: MedPay covers you (the policyholder), passengers in your vehicle, and sometimes family members—not people you injure in accidents (that's covered by liability insurance).
Coordination with other insurance: MedPay typically works as secondary coverage, meaning: • Your health insurance pays first • MedPay covers what your health insurance doesn't (copays, deductibles, and amounts exceeding health insurance limits) • Some policies allow you to make MedPay primary (paying before health insurance)
No deductibles: Unlike many insurance coverages, MedPay typically has no deductible. Once you incur covered medical expenses, MedPay begins paying up to your policy limit.
Direct payment: You can often have MedPay pay medical providers directly, or you can pay bills yourself and get reimbursed.
What Does MedPay Cover?
MedPay covers accident-related medical expenses for you and your passengers:
Medical treatments: • Emergency room visits • Hospital stays and surgeries • Doctor visits and specialist consultations • X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other diagnostic tests • Prescription medications related to accident injuries • Ambulance transportation • Medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs, braces)
Ongoing care: • Physical therapy and rehabilitation • Chiropractic care • Dental work if teeth are damaged in the accident • Prosthetic devices • Home health care services
Funeral expenses: If an accident results in death, MedPay covers funeral, burial, or cremation costs up to the policy limit.
What MedPay doesn't cover: • Lost wages: If you can't work due to injuries (that's covered by PIP or disability insurance) • Childcare or household services: Expenses for tasks you can't perform while recovering • Vehicle damage: Repairs to your car (covered by collision or comprehensive) • Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages • Injuries to the other driver: Their injuries are covered by your liability insurance if you're at fault, or by their own coverage
MedPay Coverage Limits and Costs
Typical coverage limits: • $1,000 (minimum in most states) • $2,000 • $5,000 (most common) • $10,000 • $25,000+ (available in some states)
Per-person coverage: MedPay limits apply per person, per accident. If you have $5,000 in MedPay and three passengers are injured, each person can receive up to $5,000 in benefits.
How much MedPay costs: • $1,000-$2,000 coverage: Adds roughly $2-5 per month ($25-60 annually) • $5,000 coverage: Adds roughly $5-10 per month ($60-120 annually) • $10,000 coverage: Adds roughly $10-20 per month ($120-240 annually)
Cost varies based on your location, driving record, and insurance company. MedPay is generally one of the most affordable optional coverages.
Is it worth the cost? For $5-15 per month, MedPay provides valuable protection—especially if you have high health insurance deductibles or frequently carry passengers.
MedPay vs. PIP (Personal Injury Protection)
MedPay and PIP both cover medical expenses after accidents, but PIP is more comprehensive:
MedPay (Medical Payments): • Covers medical and funeral expenses only • Typical limits: $1,000-$10,000 • No-fault coverage (pays regardless of who caused the accident) • Optional in most states • Lower cost (usually $50-200/year) • Usually secondary to health insurance • Simple, straightforward coverage
PIP (Personal Injury Protection): • Covers medical expenses, lost wages, childcare, funeral costs, and essential services • Typical limits: $10,000-$50,000+ • No-fault coverage • Required in 12 no-fault states • Higher cost (usually $100-300/year or more) • Can be primary or secondary to health insurance • More comprehensive protection
Which is better? • If you live in a no-fault state requiring PIP, you must carry PIP (and don't need MedPay) • If you live in a state where both are optional, PIP offers more comprehensive protection but costs more • If you want affordable basic medical coverage and don't need lost wage protection, MedPay is an excellent choice
For detailed PIP information, see our guide on what is PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance.
MedPay vs. Health Insurance
Why you might need MedPay even with health insurance:
Covers out-of-pocket expenses: Health insurance often requires copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. If your health plan has a $3,000 deductible and you're injured in an accident, MedPay can cover that $3,000.
Covers passengers: Your health insurance only covers you (and family members on your plan). MedPay covers all passengers in your vehicle, regardless of whether they have health insurance.
No network restrictions: MedPay pays for any licensed medical provider, while health insurance may limit you to in-network providers or charge more for out-of-network care.
Immediate coverage: MedPay pays quickly without waiting for health insurance processing, authorizations, or appeals.
Covers ambulances and emergency care: Emergency services can be expensive. MedPay covers ambulance transport and ER visits that might not be fully covered by health insurance.
When health insurance might be sufficient: • You have excellent health insurance with low deductibles ($500 or less) • You rarely have passengers in your vehicle • You have substantial emergency savings to cover medical deductibles • You want to minimize insurance costs
Best approach: Consider MedPay complementary to health insurance, not a replacement. It fills gaps and provides additional protection at low cost.
Who Should Get MedPay?
MedPay makes sense if you:
Have high health insurance deductibles: If your health plan has a $2,000+ deductible, MedPay with a $5,000 limit provides peace of mind that accident-related medical costs won't create financial hardship.
Frequently have passengers: Carpooling, driving kids and their friends, or giving rides to elderly relatives? MedPay protects your passengers who might not have health insurance or who have high-deductible plans.
Don't have health insurance: If you're uninsured or underinsured, MedPay provides at least some protection for accident-related medical expenses.
Are self-employed or have limited sick leave: While MedPay doesn't cover lost wages, it ensures medical bills don't compound financial stress when you can't work.
Have family members on your policy: Teenage drivers or young adults on your policy benefit from MedPay coverage, especially if they're on high-deductible health plans.
Want affordable protection: At $5-15 per month, MedPay is an inexpensive way to add a safety net for accident-related medical costs.
You might skip MedPay if you: • Live in a PIP state and already have comprehensive no-fault coverage • Have excellent health insurance with minimal out-of-pocket costs • Rarely drive or have passengers • Have substantial savings set aside for medical emergencies • Want to minimize insurance premiums
How to Use MedPay Coverage
After an accident:
1. Seek medical attention immediately Get treatment right away, even if injuries seem minor. Delaying care can complicate claims.
2. Notify your insurance company Report the accident to your insurer within 24 hours. Provide details about injuries and medical treatment.
3. Keep all medical documentation • Doctor and hospital bills • Prescription receipts • Medical reports and diagnostic results • Physical therapy invoices • Any other accident-related medical expenses
4. Submit MedPay claim Provide your insurer with: • Accident details (date, location, police report if filed) • Medical bills and receipts • Health insurance explanation of benefits (EOB) if health insurance paid first • Completed claim forms
5. Receive payment Your insurer will: • Pay medical providers directly, or • Reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses
Processing time: MedPay claims are typically processed within 30 days once all required documentation is submitted.
Multiple claims: You can submit MedPay claims until you reach your policy limit. If you have $5,000 in MedPay and submit $2,000 in claims, you have $3,000 remaining for that accident.
MedPay Availability by State
Available in most states: MedPay is optional in 38+ states. It's most common in states that don't require PIP.
Not available in no-fault (PIP) states: The following states require PIP instead of offering MedPay: • Florida • Hawaii • Kansas • Kentucky • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • New Jersey • New York • North Dakota • Pennsylvania • Utah
In these states, PIP serves the same basic function as MedPay but with more comprehensive benefits.
Some states require MedPay: A few states mandate minimum MedPay coverage: • Maine: Requires $2,000 MedPay (can reject in writing) • New Hampshire: Requires MedPay for registered vehicles (amounts vary)
Check your state: Confirm MedPay availability and requirements with your insurance agent or state insurance department.
MedPay Beyond Car Accidents
Some MedPay policies provide coverage beyond your vehicle:
When you're a pedestrian: If you're hit by a car while walking, your MedPay may cover your medical expenses.
When you're a cyclist: Injured while bicycling and struck by a vehicle? MedPay might apply.
As a passenger in someone else's car: If you're injured while riding in another person's vehicle, your MedPay can cover your medical bills (in addition to the driver's coverage).
Policy-specific: Not all MedPay policies include these extended coverages. Review your policy or ask your agent whether your MedPay applies outside your own vehicle.
Tips for Maximizing MedPay Value
Choose appropriate limits: Match your MedPay limit to your health insurance deductible. If you have a $3,000 health deductible, consider $5,000 MedPay to cover that deductible plus some additional expenses.
Coordinate with health insurance: Let your health insurance process claims first, then submit remaining balances to MedPay. This maximizes your total coverage.
Keep detailed records: Save all medical bills, receipts, and documentation. The more organized your records, the smoother your MedPay claim process.
Use it for everyone in the car: Don't forget passengers can file MedPay claims too. If you're in an accident with passengers, make sure they know to submit their medical bills.
File claims promptly: Most states require MedPay claims to be filed within 1-3 years of the accident. Don't wait too long.
Consider higher limits for high-risk situations: If you have teenage drivers, frequently drive in high-traffic areas, or have long commutes, higher MedPay limits ($10,000+) provide extra protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your health insurance deductible and out-of-pocket costs. If you have a high-deductible plan ($2,000+), MedPay is valuable for covering those costs. It also covers passengers who may not have insurance. At $5-15/month, it's often worth having as a safety net.
Yes. MedPay is no-fault coverage, meaning it pays for your medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. Whether you're at fault, the other driver is at fault, or fault is disputed, your MedPay covers you.
Yes, most MedPay policies cover chiropractic treatment for injuries sustained in car accidents. Keep receipts and documentation from your chiropractor to submit with your claim.
Once you reach your MedPay limit, you'll need to use other coverage: your health insurance, the at-fault driver's liability insurance (if they caused the crash), or pay out-of-pocket. Consider higher MedPay limits if you're concerned about this.
No. MedPay is one of the most affordable optional coverages. Adding $5,000 in MedPay typically costs $60-120 per year—just $5-10 per month. The protection it provides usually far outweighs the minimal cost.