Expert: Ray A Miller - 11/7/2008

Question
Are medical providers held to a time limit for submitting claims to an insurance company?  I am receiving a bill from 4 years ago that I thought was paid.  They said they submitted it but never heard from the insurance company.  The ins co said they never got it and it's past their 15month time limit for filing the claim so they won't pay now.  Can the dr. still bill me for the charges even tho I wasn't aware that it was never received/paid by my insurance?  This is in AZ and is related to a car accident, which was settled 4 years ago also.

Answer
Sue,

I am sorry it has taken so long to get back to you, my computer is in process of dying and I have to take it to the computer hospital.  I will try to get your answer to you before the next crash.

Call your health insurance company and ask them this question.  The answer will probably depend on what their contract with the hospital says.  By this being a third party liability case, that may be what cause the delay and the medical provider was expecting payment from your settlement. I am fairly sure that there is a insurance subrogation law in AZ and I tried to find it but all I could get was information on attorney firms.  You may want to contact the Department of Consumer Affairs, web address: http://www.azdfi.gov/CAD/Intro.htm  Your next option would be to contact an attorney.  I wish you the best results with this issue.