Understanding Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) After a Car Accident in Idaho

Drew Flack, DC
Oct 6
3 min read

If you’ve been in a car accident in Idaho, you may have heard someone mention “MedPay” or Medical Payments Coverage. But what is it—and should you actually use it to cover your treatment?

At our clinic, we see this question all the time. Many people worry that using MedPay will raise their insurance rates or somehow hurt their policy. The truth is simple:

MedPay exists to help you recover. You should never be afraid to use it.

Let’s look at what MedPay is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most useful parts of your auto insurance after a crash.

What Is MedPay?

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) is an optional part of your auto insurance that helps pay for your medical care after a car accident. Here’s what makes it so helpful:

It covers you and your passengers for medical expenses after a crash.
It applies no matter who was at fault—even if you caused the accident.
It can be used for chiropractic, physical therapy, massage therapy, imaging, and medical visits related to your injuries.
It pays quickly, without waiting for the other driver’s insurance or a settlement.

MedPay is like a built-in health plan for car accidents. It’s your first layer of protection to get you the care you need, fast.

Will Using My MedPay Raise My Insurance Rates?

No, using your MedPay will not raise your insurance rates.

This is one of the biggest myths we hear. Using MedPay is just like using your health insurance for a regular doctor visit—you’re using a benefit you already pay for.

The accident itself might affect your premiums, especially if you’ve had a few accidents or claims in recent years.

But using your MedPay does not cause your rates to go up.

So if you’re injured after an accident, don’t hesitate to use it. That’s exactly what it’s there for.

Why Use My MedPay if the Accident Wasn’t My Fault?

This is another very common question—and it’s a good one. Here are some reasons to use MedPay:

It makes healthcare easy, and you can start care immediately—no waiting on paperwork or approvals.
It makes the insurance and settlement process faster, which means you'll often get your settlement faster.
Later, when the other driver’s insurance pays out, your MedPay insurer will get reimbursed behind the scenes—but that doesn’t affect your coverage or your rates.

In short: using your MedPay helps you get better faster, with less paperwork headache.

What Does MedPay Cover?

MedPay can cover a wide range of care

related to your accident injuries, including:

Chiropractic adjustments
Physical therapy
Massage therapy
X-rays or imaging
Doctor visits
Emergency room care
Hospital treatment

At our clinic, we commonly use MedPay to help patients recover from:

Whiplash, concussion
Neck and back pain
Headaches and muscle soreness
Shoulder, hip, and knee pain after a collision

These are all common after even minor fender-benders—and early treatment makes a big difference.

How Do I Know If I Have MedPay?

If you’re not sure whether you have MedPay, contact your auto insurance company directly.

When you call, ask these three questions:

Do I have Medical Payments Coverage on my policy?
If yes, what is my MedPay limit? (It’s usually $5,000, $10,000, or sometimes more.)
Can you help me open a MedPay claim? (if you're ready to use it, which we suggest)

Once your claim is open, we can take care of the rest—billing your insurance directly and coordinating your care plan.

What Happens Next?

Once your MedPay claim is active, our office will:

Create your personalized care plan
Handle all insurance paperwork and billing
Coordinate with other doctors or your attorney if needed
Keep you informed every step of the way

Our goal is to make your recovery simple and stress-free.

Why You Should Use Your MedPay Coverage

You’ve paid for this coverage—it’s part of your policy. Using it:

Gets you care right away
Helps you avoid medical debt or waiting on the other driver’s insurance
Protects your long-term health
Does not increase your premiums

From chiropractic and physical therapy to massage therapy and medical, we have a full team ready to help you recover. We will create your care plan, navigate insurance, connect you with the best attorneys if desired, and quarterback your care with other doctors and professionals. We take care of everything—all you need to do is come!