Auto Insurance Claims: Other Partys Insurance is refusing to pay entire medical bill from auto accident., injury settlement

Question
In Colorado of 2007, I was rear ended on the interstate. I had to go to the hospital for minor neck injuries. The hospital had two bills,the emergency room and a doctors fee. I recently received notice on my credit report of a doctors fee never being paid. I called the doctor and they said the insurance denied the claim. Though the emergency room was paid, the doctor wasn't. I called the insurance company and they state the claim was closed and settled. I do remember receiving a small check for between 200-300 for travel expenses and "pain and suffering" and it was a settlement for future medical problems but this was several weeks after the doctor. How should I pursue this? Thank you!

Answer
Jameson,

  I'm sorry to say that I don't think you will like my take on the issue.  I don't quite have enough information to determine exactly what you should do.  For example, do you know which insurance the doctor's office called?  Do you have health insurance through your employer?  Do you have med-pay or pip on your own insurance policy?  It is very rare that any insurance company is directly responsible for paying a doctor's bill (or any other medical bill).  The insurance company is responsible for paying you for your damages, and you are responsible for paying the service providers.

  If you have received a payment for travel expenses and pain and suffering, then can you prove that the payment was just for travel expenses and pain and suffering or was the payment really a settlement of your injury claim.  It seems this may be the case as if the other party rearended you, and it is their insurance that is denying to make payment because it was closed and settled, then you likely unwittingly settled your entire claim for a small amount.  If the circumstances are right, the insurance company has no obligation to a hospital or doctor.  It seems by your question this is exactly what has happened.  I would try to find a copy of the check where they paid me or ask them to prove the payment was a settlement in full.  There are some legal issues involving cases like this, so I would suggest an attorney if the amount warrants it.

  I hope this helps.

JP