You’ve just been injured, and you’re focusing on healing, paying medical bills, and working with your attorney to get the settlement you deserve. But just when you think you’re finally going to see justice, a surprise lands in your lap: your health insurance company wants their share of your settlement. Yes, you read that right. Your health insurance, which you’ve been diligently paying premiums to, has the right to demand reimbursement for the costs of your medical care.

What is Health Insurance Subrogation?

Health insurance subrogation is a fancy legal term for something that feels a lot less sophisticated when it happens to you. Essentially, when your health insurance pays for medical treatment related to your injuries, they reserve the right to be reimbursed if you receive a settlement or verdict in your personal injury case. It’s their way of recouping their costs, and they’re legally entitled to it.

In Florida, this is a reality that catches many injury victims off guard. Most people assume their health insurance has “done its job” and moved on. But when a settlement enters the picture, health insurers often swoop in to claim a piece of the pie.

How Does This Affect Your Settlement?

Here’s where it gets tricky: those health insurance liens can significantly impact the amount you walk away with after a settlement. Imagine negotiating a hard-fought $100,000 settlement, only to find out that your health insurance wants $30,000 of it to cover your medical bills. It can feel like a gut punch—especially if you weren’t prepared for it.

Florida law does provide some protections, allowing attorneys to negotiate with insurance companies to reduce these liens. But not all attorneys know how to do this effectively. If you’re not careful, you could end up with less in your pocket than you deserve or risk jeopardizing your health insurance coverage.

Why This Matters in Personal Injury Cases

When it comes to personal injury cases, it’s not just about winning—it’s about keeping as much of your settlement as possible. This is why having an attorney who understands health insurance subrogation rights and lien negotiation is critical. A skilled attorney will not only fight for the highest possible settlement but will also work to reduce the liens against it, ensuring you keep more of what you’re owed.

At Kushel Law Group, we believe it’s our job to look out for every aspect of your case—not just the big numbers, but the small details that make a huge difference. We negotiate with health insurers to reduce their claims and maximize what you take home. It’s just one more way we deliver the personalized care and fierce advocacy we’re known for.