Medical Payments Coverage for Seniors in Maryland
Medical Payments Coverage pays medical bills after a crash no matter who caused it, and in Maryland your insurer has to offer it to you.
Maryland requires insurers to offer this coverage
Medical Payments Coverage, often called MedPay, pays for medical treatment after a car accident regardless of who was at fault. Maryland law requires insurers to offer it on every auto policy, though you can decline it in writing if you don't want it.
For an older driver, the appeal is that it pays out fast and doesn't wait on a fault investigation. If you're in a crash and need an ambulance, an ER visit, or follow-up care, MedPay can cover those bills while the question of fault gets sorted out separately.
What you already have through Medicare changes the math
If you're on Medicare, you already have coverage for medical treatment after a crash, including care related to a car accident. That doesn't make MedPay useless, but it does change what it's for.
Medicare can involve deductibles, copays, and coverage limits depending on the type of care you need. MedPay can pick up some of those out-of-pocket costs, so the two can work together rather than one replacing the other.
It's also worth knowing that MedPay pays before Medicare in many cases, since Medicare generally expects other available coverage to pay first. That sequencing can mean faster payment and less paperwork for you at a time when you're dealing with an injury.
Ask your insurer how MedPay and Medicare are meant to interact on your specific policy, since the details can vary by insurer.
What's often misunderstood about who it covers
MedPay isn't just for you as the driver. It typically extends to passengers in your car and can cover you if you're a pedestrian or on a bicycle and get hit by a car, or if you're a passenger in someone else's vehicle.
For an older driver, this matters if you often have a spouse, grandchildren, or friends riding with you. Everyone in the car at the time of a covered accident may be able to use that same coverage for their own medical bills.
The other thing people get wrong is assuming MedPay and liability bodily injury coverage are the same thing. They're not. Liability coverage from the at-fault driver's policy can take months to resolve and may be disputed. MedPay is meant to pay out regardless of fault and without that wait.
Check your policy declarations page to see if you already carry MedPay and at what limit, since some drivers have it without realizing it.
Questions people ask about this
Can I use MedPay if I was at fault for the accident?
Yes, MedPay pays regardless of who caused the crash. That's the main difference between it and liability coverage, which only pays for people you injured if you were at fault.
Does MedPay cover a family member driving my car?
In most cases it covers anyone driving your car with permission, as well as passengers. Check your policy's definition of who's covered, since insurers can word this differently.
Is MedPay the same as Personal Injury Protection in Maryland?
No, they're different coverages, though Maryland also requires insurers to offer Personal Injury Protection. PIP can cover lost wages in addition to medical bills, while MedPay generally covers medical expenses only. Ask your insurer how the two work together on your policy.
What happens if I decline MedPay in Maryland?
You can decline it, but Maryland requires you to do so in writing. Without it, medical bills after an accident would need to come from health insurance, Medicare, or the at-fault driver's liability coverage, which can take longer to pay out.
Does having MedPay affect my premium?
Adding MedPay generally adds a small amount to your premium since it's additional coverage. How much depends on your insurer and the limit you choose, so ask for a quote with and without it to compare.
See what adding or adjusting MedPay would mean for your premium before you decide.
Pull out your current policy's declarations page and look for Medical Payments Coverage to see if you already have it and at what limit. If you're on Medicare, call your insurer and ask how MedPay and Medicare are coordinated on your policy, since this varies by insurer. Also check what Personal Injury Protection you carry, since Maryland requires insurers to offer that too and it works alongside MedPay. If you don't currently have MedPay, ask for a quote that includes it so you can see the actual cost difference. Bring any questions about how the two coverages interact straight to your insurer or agent, since they can speak to your specific policy.
