meirs Aug 19, 2010:

@Fourth rather transfer of rights (not ownership) to receive the $$$

Jack Dunwell Aug 19, 2010:

Agree with Meirs There is a transfer of ownership

Maria Chmelarova (asker) Aug 19, 2010:

thank you to both of you.

Samantha Payn Aug 19, 2010:

Exactly.

meirs Aug 19, 2010:

assignment of benefits The insured person is entitled to receive the benefits ($$$) for the damages/costs he/she incurred - but if the costs are of/for medical treatment, the medical provider will get the $$$ directly from the insurer. For this, the medical provider has to accept that the insured person rights are assigned to them instead. In plain English: in a normal situation, the insured person pays the doctor, then claims benefits from the insurer and eventually the insurer pays the insured. If the rights are assigned, the insurer pays the doctor directly, but after a long time (so they may accept this or not).