Is there a time limit on when a doctor can bill you?

Question

I RECIEVED A BILL THIS WEEK FROM THE DOCTORS OFFICE FROM 2006. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE RECIEVED THIS BILL. I AM CONFUSED. WHY AM I JUST NOW SEEING THIS BILL.

Answer 1

No, there isn't.

There is, however, a time limit for you to submit a bill to be paid by your insurance company.

Answer 2

Tons of reasons.

You really need to call the doctor's office, and probably your insurance company.

There isn't a time limit, although this could vary state to state, and they can put you in collections.

If you have insurance, they could have been fighting with the company to pay for a charge, the company sent a final refusal, and now they have to bill you. Sometimes you can get it paid by the insurance company, you are the policy holder and you are higher up on the totem pole than the doctor's offices to them. Make sure from the insurance company they are saying it is patient's responsibility before you pay them, you should have received an explanation of benefits from your insurance company that shows this, they are complicated so you may want to call them. Get the name of EVERYONE you talk to. Write it down on the paperwork so you have it together.

They could have screwed up and done something wrong, like not send in the bill in the time allowed, and now they are trying to get money from you. They are not allowed to do this.  It could be a mistake and was sent by accident, easy for a badly set up computer system.  Again a call to the doctor's could clear it up. If someone does not want to help you, or will not take the time to research it (could take a couple of days) ask to speak to a supervisor. Call the insurance, if they billed for something they shouldn't the ins will call the doctor's office to clear it.

If you don't have insurance, think about if they had your correct address. Do you open your mail in a timely manner? (One woman I spoke with would leave months of mail piled up, then be upset that it went to collections)

If you knew you were going to the doctor's office without insurance, you knew you were going to have a bill. People do call to ask why they haven't gotten a bill yet. Yes, you should have received it sooner, but if you bought a stereo would you not need to pay for it just because they sent the bill way late?

I'd still call the doctor's office and ask why. If you can't afford the bill, you could tell them you are suffering financial hardship. You'd have to send in income information, but they may reduce or write off your bill. The other option would be to see social services.

If you do have insurance you can probably look up the statements online. Pull them up, get the doctors bill, compare. With all the info in front of you, make those calls.

Good luck!