Colorado Med Pay Explained | Auto Insurance Coverage

Quick Answer

Med-Pay is medical payments coverage on your Colorado auto policy that pays for accident-related care, including chiropractic, no matter who caused the crash. There is usually no deductible and no copay, and at Aim High Health we bill it directly, so most patients pay nothing out of pocket. Colorado insurers must offer at least $5,000 in Med-Pay, though you can decline it in writing.

Med-Pay covers accident-related medical care regardless of who was at fault.
It usually has no deductible and no copay.
Colorado insurers must offer at least $5,000 in Med-Pay; you can decline it in writing.
We bill Med-Pay directly, so most patients pay nothing out of pocket.
If you do not have Med-Pay, an attorney lien may let you start care now and settle the balance later.

If you've been in a car accident in Colorado, you likely have coverage specifically designed to pay for your medical treatment, including chiropractic care. It's called Medical Payments coverage (Med-Pay), and understanding how it works can save you thousands of dollars while making sure you get the treatment you need to recover.

What Is Med-Pay in Colorado?

Medical Payments coverage (Med-Pay) is a type of no-fault auto coverage that pays for medical expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Under Colorado law, insurers must offer Med-Pay coverage on auto policies, with a minimum amount, though you can decline it in writing.

$5,000

Minimum Med-Pay

The minimum amount insurers must offer drivers in Colorado.

Key Benefits of Med-Pay

No-fault coverage: pays regardless of who caused the accident
No deductible: coverage typically starts from dollar one
No copays: full coverage up to your policy limit
Quick access: no waiting for a fault determination
Covers all passengers, not just the policyholder
Covers you in any vehicle, even as a passenger or pedestrian

What Med-Pay Covers

Med-Pay coverage is comprehensive and includes most medical expenses related to your accident:

Chiropractic care and adjustments
Physical therapy
Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans)
Emergency room visits
Hospital stays
Surgery and specialist consultations
Prescription medications
Medical equipment (braces, supports)
Ambulance transportation

We Bill Insurance Directly

At Aim High Health, we bill your Med-Pay coverage directly. This means you typically pay nothing out of pocket for your chiropractic care after an auto accident.

Med-Pay Coverage Limits

While the minimum offered is typically $5,000, many drivers carry higher limits without realizing it. Common coverage levels include:

$5,000: state minimum, may not cover full treatment
$10,000: common standard coverage
$25,000: strong coverage for more involved injuries
$50,000: available for higher-risk situations
$100,000: maximum typically offered

Check your auto insurance declarations page to see your current Med-Pay limit. If you don't have a copy, call your insurance company or ask your agent.

Med-Pay vs. Health Insurance

Many accident patients don't realize they have Med-Pay, or they assume they should use their health insurance instead. Here's why Med-Pay is usually the better choice:

Med-Pay has no deductible; health insurance often requires meeting a deductible first
Med-Pay has no copays; health insurance typically charges per visit
Med-Pay doesn't affect your health insurance premiums or claims history
Using Med-Pay first preserves your health insurance for other needs
Med-Pay is specifically designed for accident-related injuries

How to File a Med-Pay Claim

Filing a Med-Pay claim is straightforward, but proper documentation is essential:

Report the accident to your insurance company, within 24-48 hours if possible
Obtain a claim number for the accident
Provide the claim information to your chiropractor
Your chiropractor bills the insurance directly
Insurance pays the chiropractor, and you pay nothing out of pocket

Common Med-Pay Questions

Will filing a Med-Pay claim raise my rates?

Because Med-Pay is no-fault coverage, using it generally should not raise your rates on its own. If you were at fault for the accident, your rates might change based on the accident itself, not the Med-Pay claim. Check with your insurer about how your specific policy works.

What if the other driver was at fault?

You can still use your own Med-Pay coverage first. It provides immediate access to treatment without waiting for a fault determination or settlement. You may later recover additional damages from the at-fault driver's liability insurance.

No Med-Pay? How Attorney Liens Work

If you declined Med-Pay in writing, which Colorado law allows, or your benefits run out before treatment is finished, a lien is another way to get care now. A lien is not insurance coverage. It means the provider agrees to treat you and wait for payment from your settlement when the case resolves.

That arrangement helps patients who can't pay out of pocket and don't have coverage to bill. It also comes with responsibilities you should understand before you sign anything.

What balance you owe and how it is calculated
How your records are shared with your attorney and the insurer
What happens if the case doesn't resolve, or settles for less than the balance
Whether the balance changes if treatment runs longer than expected

Ask which billing path is being used before treatment starts: Med-Pay, a lien, health insurance, self-pay, or a combination. A clinic should be able to answer that clearly on day one instead of leaving you to find out when a bill arrives. You can also use your health insurance or set up a payment arrangement. At Aim High Health, we work with patients in all insurance situations.

Bring your paperwork

Your auto policy, claim number, health insurance card, attorney information if you're represented, and any letters from the insurer. Our billing team can give you clearer answers when they have the actual documents.

Maximizing Your Med-Pay Benefits

To get the most from your Med-Pay coverage:

Seek treatment within 72 hours of your accident
Keep all appointments and follow your treatment plan
Document all symptoms, even ones that seem minor
Save all receipts and medical records
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your chiropractor
Don't settle your claim until you've completed treatment

Additional Coverage Options

If your injuries exceed your Med-Pay coverage, additional compensation may be available through the at-fault driver's liability insurance or your own underinsured motorist coverage.

We Handle the Insurance for You

At Aim High Health, we specialize in auto accident injuries and understand the complexities of insurance billing. Our team will verify your Med-Pay coverage, file all claims on your behalf, and work directly with your insurance company so you can focus on healing.

Not sure what your coverage includes?

We will verify your Med-Pay before your first visit and tell you exactly what is covered. Your consultation is free. Call (303) 577-2040 or book online in Aurora, Denver, or Wheat Ridge. We handle the paperwork. Hablamos espanol. Chung toi noi tieng Viet.

Colorado Med Pay Explained: How to Use Your Auto Insurance for Chiropractic Care