Typically, you and your employer will continue paying for your health insurance while you receive workers’ compensation benefits in New York. The workers’ comp system does not take over these payments.
The specifics of who pays for your health insurance while you’re on workers’ compensation will vary based on the insurance arrangements you made before your workplace injury.
A Bronx workers’ compensation lawyer can provide more detailed information about who pays for your insurance coverage in the event of an on-the-job injury.
Who Pays Your Health Insurance Premium While You’re on Workers’ Compensation?
In most cases, you will continue to pay your health insurance premiums while off work and receiving workers’ comp benefits. Your employer may cover a percentage of these premiums. However, the amount covered by your employer will vary, and they may not pay anything towards these premiums.
Your insurance provider generally requires you to make premium payments on a set schedule. These payments may come out of every check you receive from your employer. The insurance company will expect you to maintain this schedule while hurt.
How to Pay for Insurance Premiums While on Workers’ Comp
Many injured workers face tremendous financial strain, especially if they need time off work to heal following an on-the-job accident. Fortunately, the workers’ comp system in New York should cover a percentage of your lost wages.
You may use your wage replacement benefits to cover your health insurance premiums while away from your job.
However, you should know that the workers’ comp system will not cover all of your lost wages. Therefore, you may still experience financial strain after an accident on the job.
Who Pays Your Health Insurance Deductible While You’re on Workers’ Compensation?
Typically, you will have to pay any health insurance deductibles you face while on workers’ comp. However, your health insurance should not apply to injuries you sustain on the job.
Instead, workers’ comp benefits should fully cover all the medical expenses you face after a workplace injury. For example, your benefits should pay for your:
- Emergency treatment
- Time in the hospital
- Medical diagnostic tests and required procedures, including surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy appointments
Your insurance does not need to cover these costs as long as they directly relate to an accident at work.
Workers’ Comp Does Not Cover Expenses for Unrelated Injuries
If you sustain injuries in another accident or due to an illness while drawing workers’ comp benefits, the workers’ comp system will not cover these additional expenses. In this situation, you may face a deductible you have to cover.
An attorney can provide more detailed information about benefits available to injured workers and who pays your health insurance while on workers’ compensation.
Types of Injuries Covered by Workers’ Comp
Workers’ comp may pay for any healthcare expenses associated with an accident that occurs while you’re working. For example, you may get funds to pay for the treatment of:
- Knee injuries
- Car accident injuries for bus drivers
- Injuries resulting from slip-and-fall accidents
- Strains and sprains
You can hire an attorney to establish the causes of your injuries. Your employer and the insurance company may try to deny your claim if you do not have professional help on your side because they want to protect their bottom lines.
Who Pays for Your Health Insurance if a Work Injury Causes a Disability?
You may have to pay for your insurance premiums and deductibles after an accident that leaves you with a disability. However, workers’ comp should cover all medical costs associated with the workplace accident. If your disability lasts a sufficient amount of time, you may qualify for other benefits to ease the financial strain caused by medical bills.
For example, if you face an extended period of disability, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare benefits. The benefits offered by these programs can cover many of your medical expenses.
However, SSDI and Medicare benefits do not become available immediately after you sustain a catastrophic injury. Medicare, for example, has a 24-month qualifying period before you can draw on this benefit.
Talk to Us About Insurance Payments and Workers’ Comp
So, who pays your health insurance while you’re on workers’ compensation in New York? In most cases, you will continue paying for insurance premiums in this situation. Your employer may contribute to these costs in some cases.
You can learn more about a workers’ comp claim and the benefits available to you after an accident on the job by contacting our team at O’Connor Law.
Our law firm has over three decades of combined experience that we can use when handling your claim. We’re ready to put you first, assisting with all legal matters after a job site accident so you can focus on your recovery.
