Understanding the Problem

If you moved in North Carolina and your mail was forwarded, can you still make sure all accident-related medical bills are found and properly included in your injury claim—especially when you are still treating and you just received an additional hospital bill after the move?

Apply the Law

North Carolina personal injury claims often require you (and your attorney) to collect complete medical records and billing so the claim can be documented and so any valid medical billing claims can be handled correctly at settlement. North Carolina law also allows certain medical providers to assert a lien against personal injury recoveries for treatment related to the injury, but the lien process has specific notice and documentation requirements. Separately, hospitals must provide itemized bills upon request and must follow certain fair billing and collections rules.

Key Requirements

• Confirm the correct billing address with each provider: Forwarded mail can be delayed or misdirected, so you should update your address directly with the hospital, imaging center, specialists, and any ambulance or therapy provider.
• Request complete, itemized billing: Ask for an itemized statement so you can see every date of service and charge tied to your treatment.
• Track “who billed what” (provider vs. collections vs. insurer): A bill might come from the provider, a billing vendor, or a collections agency, and each may have different contact steps.
• Send every bill and notice to your injury attorney promptly: Your attorney typically needs bills to document damages and to address liens/claims before settlement funds are distributed.
• Watch for lien notices and disputes: If a provider claims a lien, North Carolina law sets rules about notice to the attorney and providing itemized statements/records upon request.
• Do not ignore collections letters: Even if the bill is accident-related, missed mail can lead to collections activity that should be addressed quickly and in writing.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Medical provider liens on personal injury recoveries) - Creates a lien on personal injury recoveries for certain medical charges and requires notice/documentation steps for the lien to be valid.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-50 (Duty to retain funds after notice of claims) - Requires retaining sufficient funds from settlement proceeds to pay just and bona fide medical claims after notice, with limits and rules on distribution.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-91 (Hospital fair billing and collections practices) - Gives patients the right to request an itemized bill and sets certain billing/collections requirements for hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-55 (Unfair debt collection practices) - Prohibits certain collection tactics, including contacting a consumer after being notified the consumer is represented by an attorney in some situations.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because you are still treating and you received an additional hospital bill after moving, it is realistic that other bills (or follow-up statements) may still be in transit or sent to the old address. The practical goal is to build a complete billing file so your injury claim reflects the full medical cost picture and so any provider lien issues can be handled before settlement funds are distributed. Sending the new bill to your attorney now helps keep your documentation current while your symptoms and treatment continue.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: You (patient) and, for lien/claim handling, your attorney. Where: With each medical provider’s billing department (and any collections agency listed on a notice). What: A written request for an itemized statement and a written address update; also forward copies of every bill/notice to your attorney. When: As soon as you realize mail forwarding may have caused gaps—do not wait for the forwarding period to “finish.”
2. Build a “provider list” and reconcile it: Make a list of every place you received care (hospital, ER, imaging, specialists, therapy, pharmacy, ambulance). Then request a current balance and itemized statement from each one so you can see whether anything is missing.
3. Coordinate with your injury claim file: Provide your attorney the bills and the provider contact information so the claim documentation stays consistent and so any lien notices or disputed charges can be addressed before settlement distribution.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Separate bills for the same visit: A single ER visit can generate multiple bills (facility, physician group, radiology, labs). Missing one of these is common after a move.
• Collections escalation from missed mail: If a bill went to an old address, you might first learn about it from a collections notice. Do not ignore it—send it to your attorney and request itemization/verification in writing.
• Lien notice issues: Providers may assert lien rights tied to your injury recovery. Under North Carolina law, lien validity can depend on notice and providing itemized statements/records upon request, so your attorney should see any lien notice immediately.
• Mixing accident-related and non-accident charges: Itemized statements help catch unrelated charges or duplicate billing, which can create disputes and delay resolution if discovered late.
• Address updates only with USPS: Mail forwarding helps, but it is not a substitute for updating addresses directly with providers and insurers.

Conclusion

If your mail was forwarded after a move and you are worried medical bills are missing, the safest approach in North Carolina is to proactively request itemized billing from each provider, update your address directly with them, and send every bill or notice you receive to your personal injury attorney. Because medical providers may assert lien rights against an injury recovery, missing bills can create last-minute problems at settlement. Next step: request an itemized bill from the hospital and provide it to your attorney promptly.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with forwarded mail after a move and you’re concerned accident-related medical bills may be missing, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you organize the billing, spot lien issues, and stay on top of timelines while your treatment continues. Reach out today. Call [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.