FAQ

Usually, medical care costs resulting from a traffic accident are paid for by the automobile insurance of the party responsible for the accident. However, as discussed under "If you have been in a traffic accident," you may also be eligible to receive care under health insurance as outlined below.

1) If you were injured in an automobile accident and wish to receive medical care through health insurance, submit the Notification of Injury or Illness due to a Third-party Act to the Health Insurance Association as soon as possible. (Usually, in cases of traffic accidents, most medical care institutions will ask you to contact your health insurance association in advance. Once the medical care institution providing treatment or testing has been determined, the insured person may notify the Association that he or she would like to use health insurance to pay for treatments for medical care by telephone and submit a written notice later.)

2) The party responsible for the accident is generally responsible for medical care costs and other costs incurred by those injured. If you received treatment under health insurance, the Association will pay the medical care institution up front, then bill the party responsible on the victim's behalf (in most cases, this will be the party's insurance company). However, health insurance benefits may not apply or may not apply fully in cases of accidents attributable to drunk driving, unlicensed driving, or unqualified driving.

3) Carefully consider the potential issues before agreeing to a settlement, since traffic accidents can lead to residual or recurring disorders, in which case a settlement may create problems when billing future medical care costs. If you received treatment under health insurance, be sure to contact the Health Insurance Association before settling.