It may be time to update this a bit though still not resolved .
I elected to file my claim with the insurance company of the driver who hit me . After speaking with their agents - one for medical, one for vehicle damage , I did as requested.
The wonderful state of New Jersey is no fault regarding medical claims - your insurance pays medical bills UNLESS your vehicle coverage does not include medical, in which case it than defers to whatever medical plan you may have . In speaking with the agent of the driver who was at fault I was told to produce proof that my insurance did not include medical coverage , which I promptly did and they acknowledged receipt of it .
At the time of the accident I refused an ambulance ride to the ER as I was examined by the sole responder on the volunteer first aid squad - a wonderful woman about my age ( too old to be doing this
sh_t ) all four rigs were answering other calls at the same time .
I was fortunately ok other than swelling , bruising and road rash so why the hell would I tie up an ambulance when someone else might really need it .
A few days after the accident while changing the dressing on my wound my wife ( a medical professional) and I thought that it might be a good idea to have some of the dead peeled back skin removed so I called my GP . When they were told it was a motor vehicle accident I was informed that they don’t deal with that and to go to an urgent care facility or the ER .
I went to a local urgent care as advised . ( local is misleading - part of a chain based at the other end of the world- North Jersey )
When checking in I had to explain the circumstances of my injury and produce insurance info - motorcycle insurance ( no medical ) ,
medical insurance ( Medicare A & B AND Medicare supplemental plan) . At the time of my visit the police report was not available so I had no idea of who hit me or what insurance she had .
I was eventually led to an exam room and after a considerable time a woman ( nurse ? ) and a man in a lab coat came in and took some information. The man was introduced to me as “ Dr . so and so . “ My hearing is terrible so I couldn’t understand the name .
Dr. so & so asked what brought me in . I explained the accident and I said that I thought I might need the dead skin removed . “ we don’t do that here “ was his response. He then asked if I went to the ER and when I said no I got lectured on how foolish I was . While examining me I also got a lecture on how dangerous motorcycles are . He examined all my injuries including removing the dressing on my wound . Another woman came in who turned out to be an x - ray tech and l was led to the x- ray facilities where she took a number of x - rays as ordered by Dr. so and so . I asked the woman to repeat the name of the physician who examined me as my hearing is terrible. She replied “ Oh - he is a policeman with a number of degrees in this and that “ . My response was “ You mean he is not an MD ? “ No answer and promptly changed the subject . ( My wife later researched his name and it turns out he is a PhD and advanced nurse practitioner) While taking the x - rays she placed my still undressed wound on the table . I resisted and told her I was concerned because it was an open wound . Her response ? “ No worries - I am a type A personality and I clean everything “ .
Back in the exam room while waiting for the x-rays to be read by a radiologist Dr. ( is he a Dr . ??? ) said he looked at my x-rays and saw something he was concerned about . Turns out all was OK and so I was sent on my way . ( So Dr. or whatever you are - it seems I made the right choice about not tying up a rig , eh ? )
So now back to the insurance bit . I submitted my out of pocket costs again for antiseptic, bandages etc. to the medical adjuster . I also forwarded the contact info for the liable insurance company to the urgent care group in order that they get paid .
Some time later I was then told by the medical adjuster that I need to submit my bills to Medicare and my supplement plan and then they would be responsible for the balance . I did so and several weeks later I had no communication from the liable insurer or Medicare and so I reached out to the urgent care group and was told I had a zero balance - all had been paid by Medicare / supplement plan . I contacted the medical adjuster and told her my Medicare paid x and you now owe me y . She agreed And then told me they have to reimburse Medicare ! Why the f_ _ _ didn’t they just pay urgent care bill to begin with ? Unbelievable system we live with these days .
I am tired of typing and so I will update the vehicle damage claim saga in the next installment.
To be continued...
they really only care about their profit, which involves reducing what they pay out.