Community Chat

[CalminHeart]

If I owed the money, I would pay the bill.  

[ScrapHappy]

I once received a medical bill a year after services.  I had called inquiring about it and they told me they had up to a year to bill me (it wasn't due to any short payment from insurance).  I thought a year was a long time, but they insisted they had that long.  I had another instance when I thought I paid a bill in full ( I had called about balance and paid what they said) but still owed another payment).  Many months went by until I received a notice that I didn't pay final balance and they were going to send my to collections.  I was upset and called and explained how I had to spoken to someone and thought I paid in full, etc....Well, in both instances I paid.  I didn't want any problems, like collection agencies, being involved.

[Yardlie]

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@Tinkrbl44wrote:

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@Mom2Dogswrote:

I received a bill today from a medical facility from a procedure in late 2016!

They say -according to their records my insurance company underpaid them by roughly $40.00 and they now want me to make up the difference.

$40.00 is not the issue....we are self employed and we would NEVER bill a customer over a year later for our bookeeping error.

Would you pay the bill?

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@Mom2Dogs

???   Well, I would call the insurance company and see what information they have on this matter.  Then, if I owed the money, I would pay it.

There is no statute of limitations when you owe money for services rendered.  If you owe the money, you owe the money!  

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@Tinkrbl44... Actually there is: (This question pertained to medical debt.) "Each state has some sort of statute of limitations for collecting on debts and, in Massachusetts, it’s six years. That means that you can’t get sued over a debt older than that." (https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/10/05/bill-arrives-year-later-you-have-pay/rZeieYmJMahHi4Q...)

[Tinkrbl44]

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@ScrapHappywrote:

I once received a medical bill a year after services.  I had called inquiring about it and they told me they had up to a year to bill me (it wasn't due to any short payment from insurance).  I thought a year was a long time, but they insisted they had that long.  I had another instance when I thought I paid a bill in full ( I had called about balance and paid what they said) but still owed another payment).  Many months went by until I received a notice that I didn't pay final balance and they were going to send my to collections.  I was upset and called and explained how I had to spoken to someone and thought I paid in full, etc....Well, in both instances I paid.  I didn't want any problems, like collection agencies, being involved.

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@ScrapHappy

Well, obviously, they are doing very well and don't need the money  ... or should have a better billing service!  

[Suziepeach]

I was told by a Kaiser rep (Georgia) that they also can bill a year after services, after I received a bill and called inquiring about it.

[Happiness Is Inside JOB]

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@BirkiLadywrote:

@Mom2DogsIf I owed the money, indeed, I would pay any bill. Mistakes happen; delays occur. Doesn't mean you are no longer liable. Pay it.

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I would just PAY IT.  I'm not going to "mess up" my good credit over 40.00 cause surely they are going to send it to COLLECTIONS.

[hayseed00]

I would call your insurance company, and if they said the bill should be paid I would pay it, you don't want your credit ruined over forty dollars.

[kivah]

@NYCLatinaMe

I once had an infected finger - went to the Emergency Room at my local hospital since I just moved to the area and didn't have a doctor. I received a bill for $4,000 - no kidding!!!! Plus - they didn't even take care of my finger properly. I contacted the President of the hospital --- with an explanation - and he dismissed the bill. I would never even pay $5.00 for something I'm not responsible for.

[NicksmomESQ]

  I would first call the insurance company to make sure I owed the $.How much did they allow for the visit vs. how much I’m responsible for. If it turns out that I owe it I would definitely pay it.

   My dentist recently billed me for an amount that my insurance company disallowed based on their contracted rates.After speaking to my insurance company I called the dentist.They  reluctantly agreed that it was a billing error & dismissed the charge!!

[ECBG]

It sounds like an audit.  I would, however, pay it after checking it out.