elegantlion Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Dh was just discussing some medical bills with a person which are current and legitimate. They also brought up a bill from 2002 for ds, which was an office visit. We just got back into their system last fall, which is why we haven't heard from them about this, probably. Thing is I know I paid it, because it was a huge stink. We were uninsured at the time and self pay. Well they billed us and in like 3 weeks sent it to collections, pdq. So I'm 99.9% sure I paid it to the office, not the colllections. But for heavens sake it's a 10 year old bill!!! I'm not sure I have records back that far. That was only one of the reasons we changed doctors, they treated us like pond scum because we wanted to actually pay the bill on the day of the visit to avoid carp like this. these are the kind of mosquito-ish events that set off my intensity. :lol: I'm just wondering if there is a limitation on those type of bills? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amey311 Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 I would assume not. I didn't think there was a time limit on debt. If you paid by check, is there a chance you can get a copy of the check from the bank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMA Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Check your state laws. For example, here is CA: http://www.bills.com/california-medical-bills-and-statute-of-limitations/ If you had insurance, they have a limited time to bill you because it's part of the insurance contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 My insurance company told me that there was a limit of only one year. They told me that if either they (the insurance co) or I were not billed within that time that I did not have to pay. But I do not know if that is state specific. I would check with your attorney general's office. (Technically you were billed within a year though. I would still check with the AG's office.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amey311 Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 But she WAS billed. The medical office is saying that they billed her and she never paid, so it's an outstanding debt. She admits to receiving and paying the bill, the problem is proof of payment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMA Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Then what you need to find out is the statute of limitations on collecting debt: Here is a place to start: http://credit.about.com/od/debtcollection/a/soflimitations.htm I would call your state consumer protection agency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 did you pay by check? See if you can get a facsimile copy from the bank--likely there will be a fee for going back that long. There may be a statute of limitations, but it will be a state law issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 There is usually a statute of limitations. Which state is the debt from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 did you pay by check? See if you can get a facsimile copy from the bank--likely there will be a fee for going back that long. There may be a statute of limitations, but it will be a state law issue. I'm not sure how we paid. I don't know even know what bank we had back then honestly, it wasn't the one we have now. Thing is most of our financial records are in storage in another state. There is usually a statute of limitations. Which state is the debt from? Missouri. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Unless you paid in cash, there is a record somewhere. I totally get the mosquito-ish thing, though. I loathe the amount of time it takes to do all of the stuff like this for a family. I spent a day last week on the phone with a bunch of doctor's offices trying to figure out what we really owe after insurance, which seems like it should be simpler... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 Unless you paid in cash, there is a record somewhere. I totally get the mosquito-ish thing, though. I loathe the amount of time it takes to do all of the stuff like this for a family. I spent a day last week on the phone with a bunch of doctor's offices trying to figure out what we really owe after insurance, which seems like it should be simpler... It probably wasn't cash, because you couldn't pay in the office, which was the issue in the first place. I make dh do a lot of this, I have a low tolerance for dealing with it. I once had the telephone customer service person offer to pray for me because I went on a tirade because they wouldn't allow me to pay a bill late. :lol:I used to work customer service, so I'd always preface it by saying, "I know it's not you personally." Doctor's office and banks give me the heebie jeebies. UGH, normally I'm a pretty nice person, but I have issues with those two institutions. Maybe it's a good thing we homeschool, because I'd probably have issue with the public school too. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 That debt is too old to collect on. The SOL on debt is usually 7 years depending on the state you are in. Some have fewer years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 In my limited google searching, it looks like it might be five years in MO... I would make a couple of calls to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 In my limited google searching, it looks like it might be five years in MO... I would make a couple of calls to be sure. Five or Seven sounds like what I remember. Sounds like the medical billing office doesn't know how to do simple math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Five or Seven sounds like what I remember. Sounds like the medical billing office doesn't know how to do simple math. well no, they probably always ask. They just can't enforce a collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) I am an attorney, and there is a statute of limitations on contracts, debt collections, etc., in every state. It varies from state to state, but I would be shocked if it is 10 years. That is how long the doctor's office has to sue you on the debt. If the statute of limitations has run out, they can kick up all the fuss they want but have no way to enforce it. Just be careful that you do not do anything to reaffirm the debt-that can start the statute of limitations all over again. And it doesn't matter whether you paid it or not. Even if you know for a fact that you didn't pay it, they cannot sue you on it. This is exactly what statutes of limitation are for--so you do not have to cart around records of every transaction for ever. Terri Edited March 1, 2012 by plansrme fuSS not fuLL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 How would she reaffirm the debt, so she doesn't do it accidently? I think you have to actually pay some on it, or set up a payment plan. We weren't doing that today anyway. Dh has a way to be firm, yet tactful. I just come across as B******. So he will be handling that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I think you have to actually pay some on it, or set up a payment plan. We weren't doing that today anyway. Dh has a way to be firm, yet tactful. I just come across as B******. So he will be handling that. Do not pay a penny or you reestablish the debt in total. If you are OK with that go ahead, but do know that starting up a payment plan or making any payment makes you liable for the whole debt. I'm not a lawyer but Plansrme (who is) is giving you the correct advise. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 Do not pay a penny or you reestablish the debt in total. If you are OK with that go ahead, but do know that starting up a payment plan or making any payment makes you liable for the whole debt. I'm not a lawyer but Plansrme (who is) is giving you the correct advise. Bill Well we don't have a penny to give right now anyway, but we won't be doing anything over the phone either. It will all have to be in writing. Maybe by then I can dig up the receipt. It was an office visit, less than 100.00 I know. Oh gee, now I remember that was the same time the doctor, knowing we were broke and uninsured, called in a prescription for an antibiotic that was going to cost 170.00 to fill. We laughed at the pharmacist and called the doctor back, and went and got samples of a different medication from the office. That's the other reason we never went back. Morons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 It could get tricky when you go to pay the new bill, because they put any payment you make now to the old debt which would reaffirm the debt. I would avoid that network all together so that does not happen. If you get a bill for the new visit, then I would call and speak to an attorney in your area who can write a stern letter to have them dismiss the debt since it is beyond the statute of limitations. The easiest thing would be to find the old proof of payment, but I know for a fact that we could not come up with that from 10 years ago. we have been through that before where we have paid, but they said we did not. It was only 2 years after the fact though, so we had the proof still. What a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Well we don't have a penny to give right now anyway, but we won't be doing anything over the phone either. It will all have to be in writing. Maybe by then I can dig up the receipt. It was an office visit, less than 100.00 I know. Oh gee, now I remember that was the same time the doctor, knowing we were broke and uninsured, called in a prescription for an antibiotic that was going to cost 170.00 to fill. We laughed at the pharmacist and called the doctor back, and went and got samples of a different medication from the office. That's the other reason we never went back. Morons. When a relative passed away I needed to go through his papers and discovered that there are now companies set up to make claims on very old (beyond the statute of limitations) debts, and they hound people. In the fine print it says the debt in not legally collectable (being beyond the statute of limitations) and that any payment will reestablish active debt. Then they demand a payment :lol: I asked a laywer about this the other day and he said this dubious realm of debt collection is exploding and people are being intimidated into reactivating old debts. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) It could get tricky when you go to pay the new bill, because they put any payment you make now to the old debt which would reaffirm the debt. I would avoid that network all together so that does not happen. If you get a bill for the new visit, then I would call and speak to an attorney in your area who can write a stern letter to have them dismiss the debt since it is beyond the statute of limitations. The easiest thing would be to find the old proof of payment, but I know for a fact that we could not come up with that from 10 years ago. we have been through that before where we have paid, but they said we did not. It was only 2 years after the fact though, so we had the proof still. What a pain. When a relative passed away I needed to go through his papers and discovered that there are now companies set up to make claims on very old (beyond the statute of limitations) debts, and they hound people. In the fine print it says the debt in not legally collectable (being beyond the statute of limitations) and that any payment will reestablish active debt. Then they demand a payment :lol: I asked a laywer about this the other day and he said this dubious realm of debt collection is exploding and people are being intimidated into deactivating old debts. Bill I'm thinking I'll have dh ask for an itemized bill, we due have current bills in their system. Then if it arrives with the 2002 bill attached we'll cross it out and send the whole thing back (copies of course) and ask them to remove the old debt before we pay a dime. All in writing, all with proof. Debt collectors don't scare me, but they do tick me off. eta: Plus we have copies of the current bills. We could pay off those invoices, maybe, and not acknowledge the old debt even. I don't know. Dh is going to try and get the whole thing negotiated down anyway. Edited March 1, 2012 by elegantlion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceyobu Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 We had a run in with an emergency clinic a while back. DD had to get stitches during a three day insurance lapse we had. The place billed us. We paid it. Over a year later we got another bill that said we had been sent to collections for failure to pay the full amount. Call the place and they said we owed an additional $200. After much haggling we settled on some percentage of that in writing. Then 18 months later, we get a notice for collections saying we owed $30. It's been a couple years now, but I keep waiting to get another bill. It was so ridiculous. I was fine to pay the full amount up front, but I'm not okay with them tacking on additional charges over a year later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 We had a run in with an emergency clinic a while back. DD had to get stitches during a three day insurance lapse we had. The place billed us. We paid it. Over a year later we got another bill that said we had been sent to collections for failure to pay the full amount. Call the place and they said we owed an additional $200. After much haggling we settled on some percentage of that in writing. Then 18 months later, we get a notice for collections saying we owed $30. It's been a couple years now, but I keep waiting to get another bill. It was so ridiculous. I was fine to pay the full amount up front, but I'm not okay with them tacking on additional charges over a year later! My blood pressure has only ever been high when in a doctor's office or dealing with them afterward. After this clinic we did find a great doctor, who was laid back, treated you like a person, listened to your symptoms and your educated guesses...like strep is going around, my ds now has a red throat and spots on his chest, I think it's strep. So this doctor sent us home with a box of amoxicillin and a discount on the office visit because we paid at the time of visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amey311 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Well this has been educational. I really didn't think debt ever went away. Have you checked your credit report for the debt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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