Will I have to pay back my health insurance or Medicare out of my settlement?

Possibly. Health insurers, Medicare, Medicaid, and some employer plans may have a right of reimbursement (a “lien” or subrogation claim) for accident-related bills they paid. Medicare and Medicaid liens must be addressed before settlement funds are distributed, and ignoring them can create serious problems later. Many liens can be negotiated down. Part of a lawyer’s job is to identify and resolve these liens so you know what you will actually take home.