Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

I just received a bill from 11/2007 for the first time

When I called they said that billing was in a holding pattern which is why I never received it before

I've had procedures done at the same place AFTER that time. I can't imagine that they would let me continue with an outstanding balance as I was self pay for this and had to make sure I was paid up every other time I started new treatment


I tried googling it but can't find a definite answer

Thanks!

Message edited 5/28/2010 11:36:51 AM.

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

Try calling your insurance company (If you go thru insurance.)

I had a situation where this bill would appear every year in June for 3 years straight. Finally conf called the collections company and insurance company and the insurance company was able to get them off the hunt because they didn't submit the paperwork in time to them (90 days, I think?).

It was the dr's fault that they didn't send in the claim in time to insurance; and since that was their error I was not responsible to pay. After that they stopped haunting me.

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

that doesn't make any sense if you were self pay..a "holding pattern" ?

if they were waiting on an insurance claim, that is one thing even though this is really a LONG time.

that being said, I don't think there is a statute of limitations unless you are in collections (which the real statute is simply how LONG they are able to hound you, which is 7 years) so even going by that, they can send you bills until 2014.

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

I had that happen with My Dentist. 3 Years later I got a bill and threats, I was POed and refused to pay at first because it just didn't make sense..then they got the creditors after me, and I caved...I am still mad about that one!

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

It is entirely possible for a provider to go through the appeals process with the insurance for 3 years.

I wouldn't accept "holding pattern" as a reason, though, ask for a timeline of events. Were they going through appeals? Did the insurance pend the claim for 3 years? What was the issue? Contact the insurer too for the history on their end.

As for the statute of limitations, medical bills normally are considered written contracts and the NY statute of limitations for written or open contracts is 6 years.

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

We looked into this when we got a bill for my son's NICU stay after he was over a year old, maybe even closer to 2. Bottom line was that we absolutely had to pay the bill.

Message edited 5/28/2010 3:02:31 PM.

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

I had this happen recently too. My bill was from 2006. I called and told them they were basically crazy for billing me 4 years later and I wanted to speak with the MD. They erased the charge and agreed it was way over the limit.

Mine was through insurance and I verified they were paid immediately from that, they were just coming after me for a copay. I got married, moved, changed my name. I have no friggin idea if I paid or not but 2006, give me a break.

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

There is none. My mom had her bank account frozen in 2002 from a bill from 1994!

Eta- if it was completly self pay, you will have trouble...if your insurance paid anything, they can make them try to prove they billed you, and appeal a decision.

What was the bill for? did you actually owe the money and did you ask them what a holding pattern meant?

Message edited 5/28/2010 3:25:14 PM.

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

It was for IVF- I was self pay- insurance didn't cover it

If anything I would pay for the cycle upfront and then submit to insurance and sometimes get a bit back, sometimes not

they did this to me last year and I paid- now they say I owe another $1000

I called and asked for a record of ALL my payments to them and I will check it with my records

Its just painful to have to dig all this stuff up again...

Re: Anyone know the statue of limitations for receiving medical bills from date of service?

{{{hugs}}} That is lousy for them to dredge this up and cause you additional pain. I would also look for any subsequent bills that showed where you had a current balance but no past dues from that time period that they are trying to bill you. Show them that you were paid in full at that time with no prior balances and dispute the validity of the claim they are now claiming. Make them prove it's a valid amount owed.