Does Medicare cover auto accident injuries?

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Dear Connie,

My husband was recently in a car accident. We are on a fixed income, and I’m worried about the costs of his injuries. Does Medicare cover auto accident injuries?

Worried about costs,
Linda from Fort Worth, Texas

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Dear Linda,

We understand that your husband’s injuries and the potential costs can be stressful. As you focus on his healing, the last thing you want to worry about is how much it will cost.

Knowing the potential out-of-pocket costs can help you worry less. Depending on the type of injury, Original Medicare Part A and Part B may cover the medical expenses of car accident injuries.

Most common injuries:

• Whiplash
• Head injuries
• Broken ribs
• Broken bones
• Herniated Disc
• Knee trauma
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Medicare Part A will cover:

• Inpatient treatment in a hospital.
• Inpatient surgery.

You must pay the Medicare Part A deductible if you have Original Medicare. The deductible in 2025 is $1,676 per benefit period.

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If he was admitted to the hospital, the first 60 days have free coinsurance for each benefit period in 2025. However, if he needs to stay over 60 days, the coinsurance is $419 daily. After 90 days, a stay would be $838 per day in 2025.

Medicare Part B will cover:

• Ambulatory transportation to the nearest hospital.
• Emergency room treatment, including diagnostic tests such as X-rays.
• Durable medical equipment (DME) includes neck, leg, arm, or other braces – or crutches.
• Surgery, if performed as an outpatient.
• Follow-up appointments during recovery.
• Outpatient physical therapy.
• At-home physical therapy if certified homebound.
• Medications administered by a health professional in a care facility.
• Outpatient mental health services.
• Chiropractic services as an outpatient.

Original Medicare Part B services will come at a cost. At a minimum, Medicare requires you to pay the Medicare Part B deductible, $257 in 2025, and coinsurance. After meeting the deductible, 20% of the Medicare-approved amount is out-of-pocket.

Many people are surprised by the out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare coverage. At a minimum, you and your husband could owe Medicare Part A and B deductibles. Then, you would also pay 20% of Medicare-approved medical bills and coinsurance for any inpatient stay exceeding 60 days. Unfortunately, with Original Medicare alone, there is no cap on out-of-pocket costs.

Typically, your Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD) will cover the cost of prescription medication prescribed and not administered by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. However, a copayment may be due when filling the prescription.

Agent tip:

“If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan check to see what’s covered. Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance vary from plan to plan.“

Do you have a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap plan)? If so, you’re in luck. Depending on your plan, you’ll pay some or none of the out-of-pocket costs I mentioned. To be sure, you’ll need to check your plan’s coverage.

If your husband has a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C), these plans must provide the same medicare benefits as Parts A and B. However, a Part C plan may have different deductibles and coinsurance, and you should check your plan’s benefits.

Finally, it’s usual for your auto insurance company to pick up some of the medical costs when injured in a car. The car insurance would be the primary payer, and your husband’s Medicare plan would be the secondary payer. You may also want to contact accident lawyers to help pay for the ongoing care of your husband’s injuries.

I hope that this information was helpful and shed light on your health insurance coverage. Medicare can be confusing; you do not have to handle it alone.

At Connie Health, we help you throughout your Medicare journey. We want you to focus on your husband’s recovery, not its cost. I wish you the best. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at (623) 223-8884.