Short Answer

In North Carolina, the most useful documents to confirm which accident-related medical bills your health insurance actually paid are your Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) (or an insurer paid-claims history) and the provider’s itemized bills that match those EOBs. You will usually also need a HIPAA medical authorization and a plan/insurance information sheet (member ID, claim numbers, and dates of service) so the health plan or its recovery vendor can pull the correct records. If your case is already settled, a copy of the settlement paperwork is often requested to confirm the injury date, parties, and recovery amount.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina, if your health plan (or its recovery vendor) is asking you to confirm which accident-related medical bills were paid, the question is usually: “What paperwork shows what the insurer paid versus what the provider billed?” This comes up most often after a settlement, because the health plan may claim a right to be repaid from the settlement for certain payments. In your situation, one key fact is that the at-fault insurance claim has already been settled.

Apply the Law

North Carolina law recognizes several types of reimbursement and lien rights that can affect injury settlements, including medical provider liens and certain government or state-plan recovery rights. The practical issue is proof: the health plan (or its vendor) typically needs documents that (1) identify the accident and the covered person, (2) list the medical charges tied to the injury, and (3) show what the plan actually paid (not just what was billed). There is no single universal “North Carolina form” for private health-plan subrogation; the documents needed depend on the plan type (private plan, State Health Plan, Medicaid, etc.) and the plan’s written terms.

Key Requirements

• Proof of payment (not just charges): Provide EOBs or a paid-claims ledger showing the insurer’s payment amount, date paid, and the provider billed.
• Matching provider billing: Provide itemized statements from the hospital/clinic/therapy provider so the dates of service and CPT/charge lines can be matched to the EOB.
• Accident linkage: Provide the date of loss and a short description of the incident so the plan can separate accident care from unrelated care.
• Identity and coverage details: Provide the insured’s name, date of birth (if requested), member ID, group number, and the insurer’s claim number(s) if one was opened.
• Authorization to release information: Provide a signed HIPAA authorization (and sometimes a plan-specific authorization) so the vendor can request records directly.
• Settlement confirmation: Provide settlement documents (release/settlement statement) so the vendor can confirm the recovery and evaluate any reimbursement claim.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Medical provider lien; itemized statement requirement) - Creates a lien for certain medical charges tied to an injury recovery and requires an itemized statement/notice to support the lien.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-50 (Duty to retain funds after notice of medical lien claims) - Addresses handling of settlement funds when medical lien claims have been noticed.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 135-48.37 (State Health Plan subrogation/recovery) - Gives the State Health Plan specific subrogation and recovery rights for claims it paid related to third-party injuries.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-57 (Medicaid subrogation; notice and timing rules) - Establishes Medicaid recovery rules and includes a 30-day notice requirement after receipt of settlement/judgment proceeds in many situations.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because your motor-vehicle claim has already settled and your firm is opening a file with a health-plan recovery vendor, the vendor will usually want documents that let them (1) identify the accident date and the covered person, (2) confirm which providers treated you for back pain/headaches after the collision, and (3) verify what the health plan actually paid for that treatment. EOBs (or a paid-claims history) are the cleanest proof of payment, and itemized provider bills help match each payment to a specific date of service and charge.

Process & Timing

1. Who gathers: The injured person and/or their attorney. Where: From the health insurer’s member portal/claims department and from each medical provider’s billing records department. What: EOBs (or a paid-claims report), itemized bills, and a signed HIPAA authorization. When: As soon as a reimbursement/subrogation inquiry is opened; don’t wait until a deadline letter arrives.
2. Match and reconcile: Line up each provider’s itemized bill with the corresponding EOB by date of service and provider name. Flag common issues like duplicate dates, reversed payments, unrelated treatment, or bills that were denied rather than paid.
3. Send a complete packet: Provide the vendor (or plan) a single packet that includes the accident date, settlement confirmation, and the EOB/billing match-up. Ask the vendor for a written “paid amount” summary and, if applicable, a final demand or closure letter.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• EOBs vs. bills: A provider bill shows what was charged; it does not prove what insurance paid. An EOB (or paid-claims history) is usually the key proof of payment.
• Denied or adjusted claims: Some EOBs show “not covered,” “patient responsibility,” write-offs, or reversals. Those entries can change what is actually repayable.
• Wrong date range: Vendors often request “from date of accident forward.” If you had treatment before the crash (or unrelated care after), you may need to separate it to avoid over-including claims.
• Multiple coverages: If you had more than one health plan (or changed plans), you may need EOBs from each plan for the same time period.
• Plan type matters: Private employer plans, the State Health Plan, and Medicaid can follow different rules and procedures. The document list is similar, but the deadlines and negotiation rules can differ.
• Missing authorizations: Without a signed HIPAA authorization (and sometimes a plan-specific release), the vendor may refuse to discuss details or release a paid-claims breakdown.

Conclusion

To confirm which accident-related medical bills your health insurance paid in North Carolina, you typically need EOBs (or a paid-claims history) plus the providers’ itemized bills that match those EOBs, along with a HIPAA authorization and your plan/claim identifiers. Because your liability claim is already settled, the recovery vendor will often also request the settlement paperwork to confirm the accident date and recovery details. Next step: request a paid-claims history from your insurer and provide it to the vendor promptly (and if Medicaid is involved, watch the 30-day notice window).

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’re dealing with a health-plan reimbursement/subrogation request after an accident settlement, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you gather the right documents, confirm what was actually paid, and understand the timelines that may apply. Reach out today at [CONTACT NUMBER].

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.