What is the statute of limitations in Washington state for collecting medical bills?

Question

I have been served with a complaint for money due, we actually my 14y/o little girl was, and some of the bills are really old like 1991 and 2001.

Answer 1

Medical statute of limitations (SOL) is a little tricky.

If the original medical provider receives any funding from the government, it can be look at as any other type of governmental debt. Which would mean no SOL.

A medical SOL defense on it's own, is a pretty meager defense if the medical provider is as I described above.

This is a collection agency that is trying to file?

You can always give the affirmative defense of SOL try and see if it flys.

But you should also look for things that the collection agency is violating and file counterclaims on those. Such as, if they placed the accounts on your credit reports past the 7 year period. Or had violations in their correspondence to you.

Medical reporting on credit reports start at the time of service. For example, your daughter went to the Dr. on 02/01/1991 - that is the start of the reporting period and runs for 7 years. If they had re-aged the accounts and placed them on your reports it is a violation.

Also, look to see how they are reporting. Look at the correspondence that they have sent you. Look at everything for violations and file those as counters.

You would have to read the FCRA and the FDCPA to know what to look for. It may be easier to go to the site I've listed and do some reading in the credit forum and medical forum.

You will find many discussions on what constitutes violations in reporting, in correspondences etc. That would give you more of a handle on it when reading the FCRA and FDCPA.

Answer 2

I couldn't find anything specific about medical bills, but I did find information from the WA Attorney General's office and placed the link below. I'm guessing medical bills are like other collections and should disappear from your credit report after years. The company should stop trying to collect after that as well.

Answer 3

i could touch the scientific institution accounting branch and ask in the event that they are able to furnish a catalogue of all the third social gathering centers (and repair companies) you won throughout your stay. persist with up with a letter to that branch, referring on your call and what replace into pronounced, your affected person/ case variety, the date variety you're concerning etc. incorporate your new touch suggestions. Be sparkling which you're asking for a catalogue of provider companies because you're leaving the rustic and want to touch those provider companies and furnish a sparkling billing address. you may touch those companies with the aid of telephone as quickly as you have their touch suggestions, yet in this manner of case it is extra desirable to have written evidence which you made each attempt to pay, in writing.