has their statute of limitations passed?

N.C. I filed insurance with my hospital during a visit back in 1994. I never heard anything else about it. Now, February 2001, a separate doctors office claims that I owe them $640. I explained that I had filed with the hospital, but they said it was my responsibility at the time to also go down and file separately with their office. This has been 7 years, and they have never billed me, nor do they have records of billing me for this, because I did ask that and they said they couldn't find it in their system, that it would take days of paper trails... At any rate, I am in question if I am still liable for such a bill being that it was 7 years ago? Can they turn this in on my credit report, or can they sue me? please help

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by wishuwerehere71
N.C. I filed insurance with my hospital during a visit back in 1994. I never heard anything else about it. Now, February 2001, a separate doctors office claims that I owe them $640. I explained that I had filed with the hospital, but they said it was my responsibility at the time to also go down and file separately with their office. This has been 7 years, and they have never billed me, nor do they have records of billing me for this, because I did ask that and they said they couldn't find it in their system, that it would take days of paper trails... At any rate, I am in question if I am still liable for such a bill being that it was 7 years ago? Can they turn this in on my credit report, or can they sue me? please help

My response:

N.C. has a 3 year Statute of Limitations on such debts, beginning on the initial date of service, or from the date of any payment from any source. That means, if the doctor, hospital, or any other healthcare provider hasn't sued you within that period, they are completely "out of luck".

You let them know, that in no uncertain terms, that you no longer are required to pay, that you won't pay, and that if they attempt to sue you, or turn this debt over to a collection agency, or in any manner disturb your credit rating, that you will take swift and sure measures to exercise your rights against such actions.

Also, you let them know that telephone calls to your number are expressly forbidden from now on, and that if they have anything to say to you, to place it in writing and mail it to you.

Do not be wishy-washy with this. Be firm and make sure they understand your resolve in this matter, and what you intend to do should they pursue any further collection of this expired debt. You let them know that it is not your fault that they have lousy bookkeeping records and skills; that it is not your fault that they allowed the debt to expire.

Good luck to you.

IAAL

[Edited by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE on 02-20-2001 at 12:16 PM]