questions & answers

Question: I recently went to a lab to have my annual labs drawn. I have been to this lab multiple times in the past few years. This last time, I was taken aside and presented with a bill for $ 980. dollars. from 2011 like 7 years ago. I have lived in my home for 24 years and I was never sent a bill for any labs costs. I did have health insurance at the time which should have covered it. What is the statute of limitations on medical bills?

Answer: The Arizona statute of limitations for written contracts is 6 years (Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 12-548).  Many medical bills are considered written contracts because the lab or other provider makes you sign a form stating that you know payment for services is due on the date of service, and that they bill the insurance company as a courtesy.  You do not state if you have been previously billed for this service or if your insurance company ever denied coverage.  The statute of limitations means the lab has six years to sue you for the unpaid debt.  If it fails to sue you in that time period, it loses its right to sue.  The lab may argue that various circumstances give them extra time.  You may consult a lawyer to discuss the issue in more detail.  There are 3 programs in Arizona that you can use to get some inexpensive legal advice and guidance.  One is the Modest Means Program.  For a $75.00 fee, the Modest Means Program will arrange a one hour consult with an experienced attorney.  The telephone number is (866) 637-5341. Both the Maricopa County Bar Association and the Pima County Bar Association have lawyer referral services that offer a 30 minute consult with an experienced attorney.  Maricopa County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $40.00. The telephone number is (602) 257-4434.  Pima County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $35.00.  The telephone number is (520) 623-4625.