WHO SHOULD PAY?

Everybody's Uncle

I would like to find out who is responsible for a medical bill (Doctors) when the bill is dated 1999 and now it is 2004.

I was injured and could not work. I had no money and was under my (ex) husbands insurance (family plan). I had not been to this doctor since before my divorce. I am now going back to this Dr. and they handed me the bill under my new married name. My ex name was on there and marked out. They said that I had to pay and I just wanted to take care of this matter.

Thanks & have a nice day,
Martha Sue
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Dear Martha Sue,

There are several way to assess and assign responsibility.

Since the bill is so old it is possible that the doctor's legal claim has run out.

If your ex-husband's insurance covered the charge, and was in force at the time, and all paper work was filed as required, the insurance company should have paid.
 
If you failed to do YOUR required paper work and the insurance company did not pay, ETHICALLY you should pay, LEGALLY time might have run out,

If the doctor accepted the insurance coverage but failed to do HIS required paper work and the insurance company did not pay, - payment was available; collecting became the doctor's responsibility. ETHICALLY he should not try to collect from you years later.

Uncle's Opinion: Professionals should assume the responsibilities of their trade. Doctor's are no exception. I tend to give any doubt to the client.

Logically, you might be better off with another doctor to avoid the discomfort of this billing problem. But they do talk, especially in smaller towns, Ethics, professionalism, and legalities of time aside; you might want to negotiate some payment to defuse any negative feelings. Doctors can keep you waiting, order invasive tests and run up charges in any number of ways. I would not feel comfortable in a professional relationship with anyone that thought I owed them money, least of all a doctor.

Best advise: Resolve the problem or move to another medical group.
Everybody's Uncle