How long can some one wait to bill for services?

Question

I just received a bill from Kaiser for a time when i was admitted into the hosiptal.
It was from April 05.
They sent a note with it saying that the were updating their files, and the realized they didnt bill me.
When I was discharged, they told me i would have to pay...then they couldnt get ahold of the person im billing, so they told me I would get billed in the mail. and they let me go home.

The bill is for $113, so its notlike i'll go broke over it. Its the point.

Answer 1

That is the process of medical billing. It may take a year just to get a bill. Remember they did a service for you just because it took a while for them to bill you doesnt mean you dont have to pay.

Answer 2

You can be billed at any time. Immediatley or later.
A creditor has no lawful obligation to even "Bill You". Billing is only a courtesy. You know you owe a debt, it's your responsibility to pay it.
Once you have been billed, you are expected to pay it in a timely manner, 30 days is reasonable and expected.

Answer 3

Sometimes it takes a while for the hospital to get money from your insurance companies. After they get the money they send you a bill for the difference. This is normal.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

I work for the Medicaid program and providers have one year from the date of service to bill Medicaid. After that they just have to write it off and the recipient is not responsible for it, either. It's the provider's mistake, not yours.