Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Virginia
one and half year late medical billing
Recieved bill for x-ray's taken on 1/20/98 on 6/20/99. Covered by two insurance policies, but have no record of it ever being sent to either one. Finally submitted on 6/25/99, but refused because they refused to pay a bill over a year old. Since this bill was incured, my husband has retired and we no longer have that coverage. Is their any legal time limit on a bill of this type being submitted? and can an insurance company refuse to pay it bacause it is over a year old?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: one and half year late medical billing
Generally, an insurer can refuse claims according to policy terms, which often include a limit on when claims must be submitted. If a service provider's negligence causes a patient to lose insurance benefits that can be a defense -- BUT the defense can be weakened if the patient is notified before it's too late that there hasn't been insurance reimbursement - such as by receiving a bill from the provider -- and doesn't do anything about it.
The above is a general discussion of legal principles. I can't give legal advice about a particular situation with consulting the client and reviewing all relevant documents.