Is there a statue of limitations for the billing of services?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Is there a statue of limitations for the billing of services?

I’ve been seeing a periodontist for the last 7 years. The first year, I received a bill and made payments. Since then, I’ve continued seeing him regularly and never received a bill, despite annual requests for a bill (to use my healthcare reimbursement money). Last week I received a bill for $20,000, with a balance forward of $18,274.67, even though I have never received any prior bills. Is a doctor required to bill you at the time of service?

Asked on September 16, 2010 under Bankruptcy Law, Connecticut

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

There is a statute of limitations. Typically, for a contract (for providing services), it's either 3 years or 6 years, depending on whether it was an oral contract or a written one. However, there are circumstances that "toll," or extend, how long someone has to collect, on one circumstance could be when there was a course of treatment or service which just ended. In that situation, it may be the case that the statute of limitations runs from the end of the services or treatment when it's finally due.

You should consult with an attorney to see what the case is here, on  all the specific facts of your circumstances; also, whether you might have a claim that the periodontist has someone defrauded you by not telling in earlier or upfront how much you would be billed.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption