A bill for work-injury care should usually go to the workers’ compensation claim, not to you personally, but bills do sometimes end up in collections while a claim is pending or disputed. Do not ignore a collections letter, and do not assume you must pay it out of pocket on the spot. Start by checking what the bill is for, whether the claim was filed, and whether the provider was told it was a work injury.
Why bills go to collections
Bills can be sent to collections when a provider does not have the claim number, when the claim is denied or delayed, when a form is missing, or when the provider bills the worker instead of the insurer. A collections letter does not by itself prove you owe the amount, and it does not decide whether the care was authorized. Keep the bill, the collections letter, and any explanation of benefits together, and note the dates you received each one.
What to do first
- Notify the provider in writing that the care was for a work injury, give the claim number if you have one, and ask the provider to bill the workers’ compensation insurer.
- Keep copies of every bill, letter, and payment record, and write down who you spoke to and when.
- Dispute the bill in writing with the collector if you believe it should be paid through the claim, and keep proof you sent the dispute.
- Ask the insurer in writing why the bill was not paid, and what is needed to pay it.
- Do not pay a bill under pressure without understanding whether it is part of the claim.
If the claim is denied or disputed
If the claim is denied, the insurer may say it will not pay a bill, and the provider may look to the worker. In that situation, the dispute about the claim and the bill are connected: a denied claim, a missing form, or an unauthorized-treatment dispute can all affect payment. Get advice promptly rather than paying or signing a payment plan that assumes the claim is over. In general terms, the provider-collection issue is one to verify against the current IWCC handbook before relying on a specific rule.
Related guides and questions
Read After a Work Injury and What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied. For help with a denied claim or a collections dispute, see Connect With a Lawyer.
Verify against the IWCC
Rules and procedures can depend on the facts of a case. Check the current rules with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission before relying on anything on this page. If you are seriously hurt, get emergency care first.
This page is general information only. It is not medical advice, not legal advice, and this site is not a law firm. See the Disclaimer.