Can a doctor or dentist send me a bill for a service they claimed I received 8 years ago and expect me to pay it?

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Can a doctor or dentist send me a bill for a service they claimed I received 8 years ago and expect me to pay it?

It was the first time I had ever received a bill for this service.

Asked on June 25, 2015 under Bankruptcy Law, North Carolina

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

In your state, the time period within which someone must sue (the "statute of limitations" or "SOL") for an allegedly unpaid bill is 3 years from the time the bill was due and you failed to pay. That means that the bill may only be legally enforced for up to three years. Therefore, while nothing says they can't send you the bill and hope you'll pay it, based on what you write, if you refuse to pay, they can't do anything except plead with you.


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