i am liable?

[iamgomez]

What is the name of your state?
Texas

In May 2000 a dentist gave me an estimate for dental work, I accepted the contract, the work was done, I pay my portion in full and my insurance was billed. My insurance accepted the claim but did not send payment. I contacted my insurance and I was told they would honor and pay the claim if the dentist would please re-submit the claim.
I gave all of the instructions and contact info to dentist who told me they would follow up on this claim.
Years passed and suddenly the dentist sends me a bill for the claim that had not been paid by my insurance. I contacted my insurance again and was told that the claim is still on file and would be honored and paid.
I relayed that meaasge and the contact info to dentist once again but as far as I know the claim still has not been paid.
It seems the dentist is not contacting the insurance or does even want to try to collect from them.
Am I liable for the insurance's portion of this claim?

 

[panzertanker]

What is the name of your state?
Texas

In May 2000 a dentist gave me an estimate for dental work, I accepted the contract, the work was done, I pay my portion in full and my insurance was billed. My insurance accepted the claim but did not send payment. I contacted my insurance and I was told they would honor and pay the claim if the dentist would please re-submit the claim.
I gave all of the instructions and contact info to dentist who told me they would follow up on this claim.
Years passed and suddenly the dentist sends me a bill for the claim that had not been paid by my insurance. I contacted my insurance again and was told that the claim is still on file and would be honored and paid.
I relayed that meaasge and the contact info to dentist once again but as far as I know the claim still has not been paid.
It seems the dentist is not contacting the insurance or does even want to try to collect from them.
Am I liable for the insurance's portion of this claim?

Yes, Insurance billing by any provider is a courtesy for you, but not a requirement...
You are still responsible for the entire bill and then will have to file the bill with your insurance company on your own to get reimbursed.

 

[iamgomez]

am I liable? 2

Lets say you get an estimate from a provider in which you are quoted a price and you are told that your insurance carrier will pay a certain amount and you are responsible for the balance
You agree to these terms, have the work done and you pay the portion of the bill that was quoted to you as being your responsiblilty

Can the provider come back much later after the work is done and say "sorry, we mistakenly gave you a quote as to how much your insurance would cover, now you owe us more than we quoted you"

In a situation when it's 5 years after the services were rendered what options does the provider have in the event of non-payment by both parties?
Can they sue the insurance or the third party?
Can they still turn the account over to collection agency?
Can they still report the account to a credit bureau as delinquent?

 

[somarco]

Go back and read the response by panzertanker.

You are responsible.

Your provider can (and will most likely) sue you, not the carrier.

It will hurt your credit if you refuse to pay.

Any questions?

 

[panzertanker]

Can the provider come back much later after the work is done and say "sorry, we mistakenly gave you a quote as to how much your insurance would cover, now you owe us more than we quoted you"?

That is not what happened here. Your dentist has said "We haven't been paid (it matters not that they may have not filed for it on your behalf, they just have not been paid at this point) and we want our money. You owe us the entire bill, insurance portion too, and we want it now."

They did not change the price, raise the rate or any other thing. They are asking for what is rightly theirs, and making you ask your insurance company for reimbursement for what will be rightly yours AFTER you pay the dentist.

OK???

 

[ablessin]

correct

I don't know why the dentist won't refile, but the above is right - - - billing is typically a courtesy on the providers behalf. You are the guarantor - that means you guarantee payment.

So, you will have to pay the bill, since your carrier says they'll still pay - sounds like you can submit a claim to them (call them and ask for a claim form- or print one off their website)
They should pay you back after you pay the office.

Sucks, but you're going to have to do it....... don't let it go to collections.

 

[ablessin]

oops

I worded the first part wrong - - it's a courtesy on the patient's behalf!

Plus, usually it's easier and the provider get the money faster if they bill directly.