This law was passed to promote fair and reasonable billing and collection practices amongst hospitals by providing a set of responsible standards.
Hospitals must make financial assistance information available on signs in the admission and registration areas of the hospital with the following notice: “You may be eligible for financial assistance under the terms and conditions the hospital offers to qualified patients. For more information, contact (hospital financial assistance representative).” The sign should be in English and in any other language that is the primary language of at least 5 percent of the patients served by the hospital. If the hospital has a Web site, this information should be posted in a prominent place on the site. In addition, hospitals must make information regarding financial assistance available in the form of either a brochure, application or other written materials in the hospital admission or registration area.
Every hospital must have a process for patients to inquire about or dispute a bill, including a telephone number to contact the hospital. Hospitals may also provide additional ways for contacting them about bills, including a toll-free number, a mailing address, a department or identified person that a patient may call or write, a Web site, or an e-mail address. A hospital must respond to a call within two business days after the call is made. A written request must be responded to within 10 business days of receipt..
Uninsured Patients: Before hospitals can refer a patient’s bill to a collection agency, they must give the patient an opportunity to:
Insured Patients Hospitals cannot refer a bill to a collection agency without first offering the opportunity for patients to request a reasonable payment plan. Such an opportunity must be provided by hospitals for 30 days following the date of the original bill. If a patient fails to agree to a reasonable payment plan within 30 days of the request, the hospital may proceed with collection efforts.
Hospitals cannot pursue legal action for non-payment of a hospital bill against uninsured patients who have clearly demonstrated that they do not have sufficient income or assets to meet their financial obligations. To receive this protection, patients must provide the hospital with all of the reasonably requested financial information and documentation needed to determine the patient’s eligibility for financial assistance and payment plan options.
Receiving an unexpected medical bill can be alarming, especially if it arrives years after you received care. You may wonder why it took so long and whether you’re still obligated to pay. This article provides clarity on your rights and responsibilities when faced with old medical debt.
Why Would I Get a Bill Years Later?
There are several reasons a medical bill may show up long after the fact
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Delayed billing from out-of-network providers: If you saw an out-of-network doctor at an in-network facility, their billing and coordination with your insurer is slower, often taking months.
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Retroactive claim denials Your health plan may pay initially, then deny the claim later upon further review if they deem services unnecessary You’d then be billed
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Missed timely filing deadlines: Providers have 6-12 months to bill insurance, but can still pursue patients for payment later if they miss that window.
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Appeals processes: Denied insurance claims often go through lengthy appeals before you’d receive a bill for remaining balances.
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Coordination of benefits delays: With dual insurance coverage, delays often occur determining the primary and secondary payers before billing patients.
How Long Can Medical Providers Legally Collect?
Though shocking to receive a 2+ year old medical bill, it may still be valid depending on state statutes of limitations:
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Timely filing limits (6-12 months): How long providers can submit insurance claims. Missing this doesn’t absolve you of payment.
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Statute of limitations (2-6 years): How long providers can use collection agencies or lawsuits to pursue debt payment.
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Credit reporting limits (7 years): How long unpaid medical debt remains on credit reports.
If a bill exceeds these timeframes, you may have grounds to challenge its validity. Seek legal counsel to understand your rights based on your state’s billing and collections laws.
Am I Required to Pay Super-Late Medical Bills?
In most cases, yes – you are still responsible for paying legitimate medical debt, even bills that arrive years down the road. However, it’s wise to carefully review late bills for any errors before paying:
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Verify you received the billed services on that date. Mistakes happen.
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Confirm it’s from either an in-network or out-of-network provider you saw.
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Check for billing discrepancies against your explanation of benefits from your insurer.
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Ensure you haven’t already paid or settled this bill previously.
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Watch for duplicate charges or services that may be “unbundled” improperly.
If the bill checks out, you likely do still owe payment barring any expired statute of limitations in your state. Consider negotiating firmly for discounts on older bills before remitting payment.
Strategies for Old Medical Collections
If you receive a valid bill for services 2+ years ago that is now being sent to collections, consider these approaches:
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Request validation: Collectors must provide written proof the debt is yours. Dispute unfamiliar or dubious bills.
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Negotiate settlements: Offer lump sum discounts to collectors in exchange for wiping the debt. The older the debt the more leverage you have.
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Make low monthly payments: If required to pay over time, negotiate the lowest feasible monthly amount to avoid default.
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Don’t reset statute of limitations: If the collections date is nearing expiration, be careful not to make agreements that could reopen or reset the window they can legally pursue you.
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Dispute credit reporting: Unpaid medical debt generally falls off credit reports after 7 years. Ensure older collections don’t continue damaging your score.
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Seek legal advice: Consult qualified attorneys to understand time limits in your state and pursue validation requests, disputes, and settlements optimally.
Solutions for Unpayable Old Medical Debt
If you simply lack the means to pay a valid, super-late medical bill, explore options like:
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Request financial assistance: Many providers offer income-based charity care and hardship discounts that can dramatically reduce or eliminate bills.
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File bankruptcy: Medical debt is dischargeable through bankruptcy. Consulting experienced bankruptcy attorneys can help develop the right debt relief strategy.
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Let debt expire: Cease payment on medical debt that is nearing or has exceeded statute of limitations in your state. The collections date will eventually expire, though credit damage may persist.
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Settle for less than owed: Offer collectors a low lump sum payment (often 20-50% of the balance) to have the account marked “Settled in full.” Get any agreement to wipe the debt in writing.
Key Takeaways
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It’s common to receive medical bills years later due to insurance claim delays and appeals.
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You typically still owe payment on legitimate services regardless of the billing date.
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Carefully review super-late bills for any errors before paying.
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Negotiate firmly for discounts and settlements on old medical debt.
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If unpayable, financial assistance programs, bankruptcy filings, debt settlements, and legal advice can help shield you from further collections.
and Consumer Guide to Health Care
This law was made to make sure that hospitals bill and collect money in a fair and reasonable way by setting some responsible standards.
Hospitals must post information about financial help on signs in the areas where people check in and are admitted. The signs must say something like, “You may be eligible for financial help under the terms and conditions the hospital offers to qualified patients.” For more information, contact (hospital financial assistance representative). The sign needs to be in English and any other language that at least 5% of the people the hospital serves speak as their first language. Anyone who works at the hospital who has a website should put this information somewhere easy to find. Also, hospitals must have information about financial aid available in the area where people check in or are admitted, either in the form of a brochure, an application, or other written materials.
When billing patients, hospitals must provide the following information:
- The date (s) of health care service
- A brief description of services provided
- The amount owed for the hospital services
- Hospital contact information for questions about bills
- A description of how a patient who doesn’t have insurance can apply for financial help through the hospital’s policy
- Patients can get an itemized bill if they ask for one.
Every hospital must have a way for patients to question or dispute a bill, such as a phone number they can call to get in touch with the hospital. Hospitals may also give patients other ways to get in touch with them about bills, such as a toll-free number, a mailing address, a website, an e-mail address, or a department or named person that they can call or write to. A hospital must respond to a call within two business days after the call is made. A written request must be responded to within 10 business days of receipt.
Patients Who Do Not Have Health Insurance: Hospitals must give uninsured patients the following options before sending their bill to a collection agency:
- Assess the accuracy of the bill
- Fill out an application for financial help according to the hospital’s rules. Patients have 60 days from the date they were released or started outpatient care to submit an application for financial help.
- Request a reasonable payment plan. Hospitals might ask patients to show proof that they can’t pay the full amount all at once.
Insured Patients: Hospitals can’t send a patient’s bill to a collection agency before giving them a chance to ask for a reasonable payment plan. Such an opportunity must be provided by hospitals for 30 days following the date of the original bill. If a patient doesn’t agree to a reasonable payment plan within 30 days of being asked, the hospital may try to get the money back.
If an uninsured patient has clearly shown that they do not have enough money or assets to meet their financial obligations, hospitals cannot take legal action against them for not paying their hospital bill. To get this protection, patients must give the hospital all the reasonably requested financial information and paperwork they need to figure out if they are eligible for financial help and payment plan options.
I Haven’t Paid My Credit Card Bill In 2 Years!
FAQ
Can a hospital bill you 2 years later in Texas?
Texas has a “timely billing” law. Health care providers must bill a patient by the 11th month after services were provided, or the first day of that month. The health care service provider can’t try to get payment for some charges if the bill isn’t sent by the due date set by law.
What happens if you never pay a bill?
Consequences of Missed Bill Payments Phone, internet, or utility service disconnects or disruptions. Credit score damage. Inability to obtain new student loans if you’re behind on federal loan payments. Creditor lawsuits.
Can a doctor office bill you 2 years later on Reddit?
You wouldn’t have to pay anything if your out-of-pocket maximum for the year had already been met before that visit. Otherwise, the debt is real, and they have roughly 7 years to legally collect it from you.
Can a hospital bill you 2 years later in California?
How long do medical providers have to pay a medical bill?
Depending on state law, medical providers usually have one to three years to file claims and bill patients if the insurance company doesn’t pay. Still, the older the bill, the more likely it is that it has mistakes or charges for services you didn’t get.
What happens if a medical bill arrives a year after service?
There are several common reasons a medical bill might show up a year after the service: You still have to pay for the service, even if the bill shows up very late; But be sure to review late bills closely for any errors before paying. Received medical bill 2 years later?.
Do you owe a medical bill if it arrives late?
After the service was legally done, you still have to pay the bill, even if it comes in very late. But be sure to review late bills closely for any errors before paying. Got a medical bill two years later? That’s pretty late, but in most cases, a bill for services done two years ago can still be legally valid.
How long is a medical bill valid?
While quite delayed, a bill for services 2 years prior can still be legally valid in most cases. Medical providers usually have one to three years (depending on state laws) to file claims and bill patients if the insurance company doesn’t pay.
What happens if you get a medical bill long after treatment?
Some property can be taken by the court and sold to pay off debts, but filers can usually keep property that is exempt. Receiving a medical bill long after you’ve received care can be alarming. You may wonder why it took so long or question the validity of the charges.
Do I have to pay my medical bills?
In short, yes. You are required to pay the medical bills you incur—whether that’s directly or through your insurance. If you have a plan, you might have to pay a copay, coinsurance, or the full bill until your deductible is met. You may also have a secondary policy to cover the extra costs you’re responsible for.
