Do I Owe This?

[OHbuckeye]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio

I have a dental office coming back on me for expenses incurred in 2004 and 2005. At the time, we paid our out-of-pocket monies due and believed insurance paid the remainder. Nothing was ever said to us and our statements showed we owed zero. Statements that unfortunately I no longer have. We received a bill in February 2007 stating we owed $697.00. My husband went to their office and found out that it was under different management. They advised him they let the previous employee(s) go as they were not performing their duties. In other words, the employee(s) had neglected to file with insurance on some of the accounts, ours being one of them. They did not file our insurance for two years. They now wanted their money. My husband informed them that had they filed the insurance forms as they were suppose to do and had done in the past, insurance would have paid the bill. Therefore, in his opinion it was their problem and not ours and if they wanted their money, they needed to obtain it from the employee(s).

After the February 2007 letter and visit by my husband to them, we heard nothing until May 2008. That's over a year later. They have since (sporadic in the beginning) sent statements. As of January 2009, the statements have arrived every month. Today I received a letter from then stating I have 10 days to make full payment or they will turn us over to their collection agency.

They waited until March 2006 to file with our insurance. By that time, my husband's company had their insurance with a different insurance company. They, of course, denied payment.

I pay my bills and I'm not trying to get out of it if I must pay it; however, I do not feel I owe this one. This happened through no fault of ours. I feel they should go back to the at fault employee(s) for payment. Am I way off base? Do I have a leg to stand on? Or, am I going to get stuck paying a bill I feel I should not have to pay?

Sorry this is so long but couldn't find a way to fully explain in a shorter version.

Thanks in advance,

OHbuckeye

[LSCAP]

Some dentists, and doctors, will tell you upfront, that filing with your insurer is a courtesy. Of course if they tell you that, then you go to someone else.

So. I believe that, unless you can find the name of the earlier insurer, and contact them, and they MIGHT, decide to cover the payments, you are stuck for them.

Try contacting the person in your husband’s company who handles problems with insurance coverage. She/He might be able to help.

The person in my company was able to help me, so try.

[ecmst12]

If the dentist is contracted with your insurance company, then billing your insurance is NOT a courtesy and they ARE required to do it. And if they fail to bill within the timely filing limit, they are NOT allowed to bill you.

If the dentist is out of network, then they can do whatever they want and you're out of luck.

[LSCAP]

Thanks ECMST12
I was lied to by two dentists. What you say makes sense, Again, thanks.