Can a dentist bill you after years of service?

[ardent]

I had my operation approximately two years ago and I have a bill sent from my dentist that I have to pay. I dont have that insurance anymore but seems like my insurance didn't cover everything? Is that possible?

[drummer]

Unfortunately, it is possible, though not super common, to receive a bill from a medical provider, including dentists, long after the service was rendered.

Sometimes there's a delay in the billing process, or there might have been an ongoing dispute with the insurance company about what they were willing to cover. It's also possible that the dentist's office made a mistake or oversight in billing, or there were changes in insurance coverage that weren't properly communicated or understood at the time of the service.

Since you mentioned your insurance at the time didn't cover everything, it sounds like this might be a case of the dentist's office finally resolving the claim with your insurance company, only to find out that not all costs were covered. Insurance policies can be pretty intricate with what they will and won't cover, and sometimes it takes a while to get all that sorted out.

Here's what I'd suggest doing:

Review the Bill: Check the dates and services listed to make sure they're accurate. ​
Check Your Insurance Policy: Even though you don't have that insurance anymore, it's a good idea to review what your policy covered at the time of the service if you can.
Contact the Dentist's Office: Give them a call to understand why you're receiving the bill now.
Reach Out to Your Former Insurance Company: They can provide more context on why certain services weren't covered or if there was a mistake in processing the claim.
Negotiate or Set Up a Payment Plan: If the bill is valid and you owe the money, you might still be able to negotiate the amount or set up a payment plan to make it more manageable.

[exitseven]

Tell him to chase the insurance company. You no longer have that insurance. Two years have gone by. You might have to find a new dentist.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[Drumlin2001]

In UK, a company can have up to about 6 years to follow up a debt. Try to get some proper legal advcie where you are

[SueShe]

My belief is that yes, the dentist can still send you the bill even years after you had the procedure done.

You are of course partially responsible because you should have intervened within a reasonable period of time when you did not receive the bill from the dentist. Of course, nobody likes to pay bills but still, you got a benefit that you need to pay for.

I don't know where you live but in certain countries in Europe, you are still liable to pay for up to 10 years after you purchased something. After 10 years, there is a limitation where you are no longer obliged to settle an invoice if the service provider failed to send you an invoice.

[Daniela1982]

No insurance covers everything, and dental insurance is covered even less for some reason on a lot of policies. They usually don't cover implants for instance. So it is possible to be billed after a few months while the insurance carrier is given the bill and they pay or don't pay, but after a year? I've never had it delayed THAT long? Someone was playing dard ass in my opinion, especially if your insurance expired before they got it done. I would question them as to why it took so long, although your insurance company could have been the culprit, or the dentist. 😯🙄

[Anonymous]

I had a dental procedure done that even with insurance cost me thousands. I paid everything off in full. I repeatedly asked is this it, is everything paid in full. Yes, yes, and yes, they told me so off I went. A year later, I get a letter from a creditor saying that I owed this dentist money, and I immediately discharged it as a scam letter (I've dealt with one before). Wasn't a scam. Dentist said they had tried for months to get in touch with my insurance company over some fees they were supposed to cover and eventually just had to charge it off to me. I would for sure contact your dentist, just to make sure it's legit. Ask for all the fees you're being charged in writing. Confirm again, it's legit, and then unfortunately, you'll have to pay it.

[electromagnetic]

I believe it is. If you have a new insurance maybe send that bill and see if they’ll cover.
Most insurance companies don’t cover 100% and you have to pay a portion out of pocket

[Paris13]

You are Still Liable for the Amount Not Paid. Make arrangements with the Dentist So Your Credit Stays in Tact. xxoo

[Anonymous]

Report him to the license board for not notifying you of the charges at that time.

Always get a signed release that the balance is paid in full so surprises don't come back later.

[WhitneySnow]

I think they can still charge you even after two years

[noohair]

legal and yes, you can be billed.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they can, so you might as well pay it.

[Booklover_90]

Call them.

[jahaims]

Just ignore it

[In_Trance]

Of course