I worked in medical billing for 6 years. The provider or facility has what is called timely filing limits. This is the amount of time that the provider or facility has to file a claim starting from the date of service. Most are a year, but some are 6 months. The length of time is determined by the insurance company and is part of their contract with the provider or facility. So since you also have a contract of sorts with your insurance, you have to abide by this time limit as well, technically. If the doctor doesn't submit the bill to the insurance until 11 months from the day you saw the doctor, the doctor is within their rights and the insurance will process it and determine if you owe money. And then the doctor is legally allowed to bill you by the terms of the insurance contract. I know this is not the answer you want to hear, and I desperately deeply with all of my soul despise our medical system and I wish we would go to Medicare for all. But just to let you know, this could be the reason why it took so long for you to get the bill. I would still call them and try to negotiate. They will often times offer a significant discount if you pay up front or in full. At least you could spread it out in payments. Or just ignore it and take the hit to your credit--up to you.
TheyMissMeOnFacebook t1_j2bkqav wrote
Reply to Hospital billing legality? by mainemariners
I worked in medical billing for 6 years. The provider or facility has what is called timely filing limits. This is the amount of time that the provider or facility has to file a claim starting from the date of service. Most are a year, but some are 6 months. The length of time is determined by the insurance company and is part of their contract with the provider or facility. So since you also have a contract of sorts with your insurance, you have to abide by this time limit as well, technically. If the doctor doesn't submit the bill to the insurance until 11 months from the day you saw the doctor, the doctor is within their rights and the insurance will process it and determine if you owe money. And then the doctor is legally allowed to bill you by the terms of the insurance contract. I know this is not the answer you want to hear, and I desperately deeply with all of my soul despise our medical system and I wish we would go to Medicare for all. But just to let you know, this could be the reason why it took so long for you to get the bill. I would still call them and try to negotiate. They will often times offer a significant discount if you pay up front or in full. At least you could spread it out in payments. Or just ignore it and take the hit to your credit--up to you.