Question
I had surgery back in October of 2006. My physician at that time verified that I had coverage for a CPM machine (A CPM machine works the, in my case shoulder, without risk of injury doing passive. exercise. Once approved the DME company delivered the device and said they would be back when I no longer needed the device or no longer had coverage. Almost 4 years later I received a bill stating that I was covered for the first date of service 11/3 but not second date of service 12/3. In the amount of 678.95 plus a minor balance of 8.10 for the first date of service. In addition they have billed me for a stim machine that I did not want or use- saying that approx 50% is my responsibility amounting to 53.93. Total bill 740.98 and a comment if I pay within 5 days they will slash the bill in half. I have never received a bill about this prior to today 2/1/10. I was told this was all authorized by the physician and the delivery tech who set me up. It is almost 4 years later - I no longer even have the same insurance. Isn't there a time limit for this company to have contacted me. I have not moved or changed anything that they could not have contacted me prior. Please let me know thanks in advance
Answer
Hi Holly!
No there is really no time limit for medical bills. However a provider should send you bills in a timely manner so you could contact your insurance company if you need to. The reason they are reducing it by half if you pay within 5 days is that they know they did not do their job accurately.
I would call the provider and explain that you were never billed and ask for proof that you were.
If they do not have then advise them that you feel it is unfair to you to be responsible for bills that you can not go back now to your insurance carrier to get paid. Tell them you will pay your copay amount but no more. Tell them you refuse to pay for the Stim unit since you did not use it or even want it.
Explain to the provider if they did their job and billed you 4 years ago you would have had the opportunity to contact your insurance carrier to see why they did not pay for the open invoice but since they did not you feel they should take liability due to their error.
Good Luck!
Tricia
