Dr.’s office failed to bill Medical Insurance, 3 years later I am getting a bill from a collection agency for full amount…am I responsible

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Dr.’s office failed to bill Medical Insurance, 3 years later I am getting a bill from a collection agency for full amount…am I responsible

Husband was injured at work, went and saw a chiropractor, WC claim was denied. All providers were given personal medical insurance info to bill. All other providers billed correctly…chiropractic office failed to bill personal insurance after given the info several times. 3 years later getting a bill from a collection agency for full amount of service. I was told by Chiropractic office they billed personal insurance, but they did not after checking w/ ins. co. Now legal action is being done on us because of fault of chiropractic office…are we responsible or can we take legal action?

Asked on May 14, 2009 under Malpractice Law, Washington

Answers:

L.M., Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 15 years ago | Contributor

If you still have the same insurer, ask them if they would pay the bill now even though it is 3 years later.  If so, get a copy of the original bill from the chiropractor's office and send it to the insurance company for payment.  If not, you are still responsible for paying the bill.  Try to negotiate a lower payment.  It will likely cost them more to litigate than the amount of the bill. Then, after you pay it, try to get reimbursed by your insurer.


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