There are several tools a car accident lawyer can use to combat this practice. One thing that can be done early on, is that the lawyer can send a letter to the hospital notifying them that the lawyer, by contract, has an assignment in the case and that the hospital is not authorized to negotiate the bills. After that, any such attempt by the medical provider to negotiate could constitute tortious interference with the attorney-client contract thereby potentially exposing the insurance company and/or the hospital to liability.  Second, a lawsuit can be filed against GEICO for interfering with the attorney-client contract by paying bills that are subject to an attorney’s lien.