If you don't have this coverage you are missing out.

MedPay refers to "additional" coverage for medical payments. MedPay insurance is an optional coverage option that can be bought or added to your car insurance (usually at any time). It is not mandatory and may be added to any standard Massachusetts auto insurance policy. It all depends on the amount you choose to buy. MedPay coverages typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 increments.

Massachusetts law gives you the right to "PIP" benefits, which is personal injury protection. PIP covers the cost of the first $2,000 for medical treatment related to injuries sustained in a car accident. All medical expenses exceeding $2,000 are deferred to private insurance plans (if you have health insurance, otherwise your car insurance (PIP) will cover all of your medical expenses up to $8,000. You can get PIP coverage for the first $8,000 of medical expenses if you are covered by MassHealth or Medicare. Although this sounds great, it isn't enough in many cases to pay for medical expenses related to serious injuries and this is why it's a good idea to purchase additional Med Pay. You will be surprised how inexpensive additional Med Pay coverage is!

There's more good and bad news. First, the bad news, let's say that you were in an accident in a car that does not have Med Pay. But a car in your household has you named as an insured or an insured's household member covers accidents-related medical costs under Med Pay, then this would typically mean that you will have Med Pay coverage!

Why you might want Med Pay and not be without it!

MedPay will cover medical expenses incurred after the PIP is exhausted. This would be in addition to any bills submitted by and paid for by your health insurer.

Without Med Pay, any bills incurred after PIP was exhausted that was paid by your private health insurance will need to be paid back to them. This is because they will likely place a lien on your case which allows them to get paid back out of your settlement. However, if you purchased Med Pay then you have additional insurance coverage and the remaining medical expenses (up to the limits you purchased) are submitted to your auto insurance to be paid through MedPay. In other words, MedPay can act as the primary medical coverage after PIP benefits have exhausted.

When does Med Pay kick in?

Any person who is injured in an accident involving a Massachusetts motor vehicle should first submit the necessary medical bills to the mandatory PIP insurance before the Med Pay provider. This is because mandatory coverage predates optional coverage. PIP coverage in Massachusetts is mandatory coverage. Med Pay coverage can be arranged if desired. In general, Med Pay coverage is only available after an injured party has exhausted all of his PIP benefits. This covers accident-related medical expenses.

There are situations when a Massachusetts MedPay insurer won't pay for accident-related medical expenses.*

(i) The accident that injured the person involved a vehicle being used for a residence

(ii) The injured party is eligible for worker's comp benefits in the event of an automobile accident.

(iii). The injured person was in a vehicle at the time the accident caused the injuries.

(iv), the car in which an injured person was at the time the accident occurred belongs to him or his household member. The regular use exclusion does not apply and it is not on any household member's policy.

(v) The med-pay insurer can deny coverage under the applicable policy.