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How long after a procedure can a hospital bill you for a co-pay?
Anonymous5 views2 answers
I got a bill for a co-pay for an MRI 17 months after the procedure. Do I need to pay this bill. I came prepared to pay any co-pay that was due. Since I was never asked for a co-pay nor got a bill, I assumed there was no co-pay and I totally forgot about the procedure.
Unfortunately, the answer to your question is "yes." While the amount of time you describe is unusual, the statute of limitations on a debt is much longer in Pennsylvania. On the other hand, if the co-pay is a severe financial burden, it is likely you could make some arrangements with the hospital to either reduce it or pay it out.
Yes, you are obligated to pay the co-pay. There is a lot of administration involved in medical claims. Questions often arise in the processing of the claim, some of which can be caused by the patient himself. While you may have already written that debt off in your mind, it was always there working its way through the system. Sorry to have to give you the bad news.
