Comments on: Is This Even Legal?

By: Subject to Change » Blog Archive » The Bill Arrives

Subject to Change » Blog Archive » The Bill Arrives — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:18:38 +0000

[...] blogged twice about the hospital bill for Cole’s birth arriving (here and here). We may have just finally recieved the final bill, more than seventeen months later. The [...]

By: Subject to Change » Blog Archive » Billing Update

Subject to Change » Blog Archive » Billing Update — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:11:19 +0000

[...] UpdateIs This Even Legal?Weekend Video #97Gotta Boast A LittleStephen King Spoiler2008 Primaries In HaikuWhat Inspired Haiku [...]

By: No Runny Eggs » Blog Archive » The Morning Scramble - 5/19/2008

No Runny Eggs » Blog Archive » The Morning Scramble - 5/19/2008 — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:30:03 +0000

[...] Aaron just got a 14-month-old bill for the birth of his son. [...]

By: roseindigo

roseindigo — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:46:21 +0000

Aaron, it is my understanding that if something isn’t billed within a year, there is a Statute of Limitations—meaning that after a year you don’t have to pay it. By not billing promptly they have set a precedent.

I think I would just get a short consultation with a lawyer on this, or ask a friend who is a lawyer.

Even a certain classification of crime has a one-year Statute of Limitations, and I recall when I worked for an insurance company, if a claim was not filed within one year, or a lawsuit filed, the whole thing became NULL and VOID.

So check this out before you pay it.

By: tee bee

tee bee — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:42:47 +0000

I feel for you, bro.

The only thing my experience tells me is that it could’ve been worse – stick with me.

I had a hellish, extensive root canal and crown ordeal, and got lost in the paperwork so that I didn’t notice I’d never received (nor did my insurance company) the bill for the main procedure of about $1,800.00.

Two years and some months later they sent it; my insurance (probably like many of them) refused to pay because it wasn’t filed before the end of the calendar year following the work.

They threatened to take me to court, so I caved and paid.

Your insurance may not have been accounted for in the bill you got – I hope not. Also, you should be able to make arrangements with them to pay over time if you still owe much, especially with the wedge of their delay in getting you the bill.

PS You’ve sure made lemonade out of these lemons – I’m going to have to go check out all the links and watch Cole grow up again!

By: sub2change

sub2change — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:40:36 +0000

Headless, that’s what I was thinking when I made the comment about big-box payment plans.

By: Headless Blogger

Headless Blogger — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:22:28 +0000

Assuming that no interest was charged on this bill, I think you got a good deal.

“14 Months – No Interest or Payments” sounds like something that a retailer would use to attract business.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:12:54 +0000

Aaron I feel your pain. I had a miscarriage in Sept of ‘06 and received a bill from Waukesha Memorial Hospital in May of ‘07 a full 6 months later. Here I thought I had dealt with all of the emotions involved from the miscarriage to only have them drug up again. When asked why it took 6 months Waukesha said it was my insurance. United Healthcare said they paid for everything with in 60 days and responded to Waukesha’s appeal in 30 days. So why did it take another 4.5 months to get a bill to me??? No one could give me an answer other than pay the bill.