If a hospital waits over a yr. to send you a bill, do you have to pay it? Where can I research this?

Question

Someone told me they got out of paying a dental bill because the dentist waited over a year to send it out. They said the Better Business Bureau told them this but I cannot find out anything from anyone.

Answer 1

if you move to canada, you will never pay for hospital again (you will have to pay for drugs, but we have great health care system because we don't waste all our tax dollars on military)

Answer 2

In my opinion they were lucky to get out of the bill....
Because a Bill is a Bill.... You used there services so you owe the money. Doesn't matter when the bill is sent. If they are late in sending it you should call them and take care of the bill before you get sued or it get sent to a collection agency.
A dentist owns his practice and can make his own decisions on how to handle a situation.
But a Hospital is a different story and it takes more money to run them so they are not likely to let a bill slide.

Answer 3

That is a good question. One problem I can see coming up is proving they didnt send you a bill previously. They could claim they have and you didnt respond.

Try calling the Better Business Bureau directly and ask them. I have a feeling you might still be on the hook for it.

Answer 4

There is legal statutes of limitations on collecting bills that vary by state. There also may be city laws but I don't know of any where I am.

You could look up statutes of limitations online for your state and possibly but less likely for your city.

Most are 3 or 5 or 10 years though.

The BBB wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Answer 5

Tardiness in sending a statement of charges does not relieve anyone from liability to pay the charge. "Someone" misinformed you.

Answer 6

Yes you have to pay it.If it were 7 years you would not have to pay. Just call a lawyer and ask.