Is there a maximum time a doctor can wait before billing me?

[liberum7]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? CA

I just went back to an old dentist that I haven't seen in a long time and she has told me that the last time I was there (over 4 years ago) my insurance (Medical) didn't pay for her services because apparently I visited her a day after it was supposedly cancelled. I am pretty certain that the insurance itself was active up until last year actually, but I was wondering what options she has at this point as far as billing me to recover the charges. It's been 4.5 years since this incident and I'd like to know if there's anything she can do about it at this point.

Thanks!

[purple2]

I'm not sure if you're talking about your dental insurance or medical insurance.

Bills are always your responsibility. I am not aware of any laws prohibiting a provider from billing you for services you received after time has passed.

You as the patient are responsible for ensuring bills are paid timely, either by you or by your insurer. You are supposed to watch for an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) form from your insurer indicating that a bill was submitted for your services and what it covered. If you don't receive one, it's your responsibility to follow up. If you do receive one and things aren't paid, it's your responsibility to ensure the provider gets paid one way or another. Most likely, your insurance policy explains all of this.

[liberum7]

Well, my point is that the dentist hasn't even billed me yet. She did the work over 4 years ago and she didn't bill me then because she knew I was a student and probably wouldn't be able to pay anyway. However, what I'm wondering is if it's even possible for her to bill me at this point, 4 years after the fact.

Thanks!

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally Posted by liberum7

However, what I'm wondering is if it's even possible for her to bill me at this point, 4 years after the fact.

My response:

Sure she can. All she has to do is open her roll-top desk, get out a piece of paper, find her fountain pen, and write: "Hey, deadbeat! You owe me $400.00! Pay up!!"

Then, she takes an envelope, puts her note inside, and addresses it to you. Then, she'll slap a .37 cent stamp on it, and shove it in the mailbox.

IAAL