I am covered by two insurance companies so my bills are paid @100 if properly submitted within the allowable time frame which is 15 months for my primary and 18 for my secondary.

I have recently run into a situation in which a collection agency called me on a bill from July of 2001 that was never submitted to either insurance company or billed to me so I could submit it. Had I noticed this, I would have told them, but I doubt it would have done any good.

I also have another one from a provider that billed the primary, but them never billed me or the secondary so since it was a small amount, I thought they just wrote it off.

My question is: What is the patient's legal reponsibilty if the provider fails to bill either your insurance or you within the allotted timeframe for the insurance to pay it. I'm in NJ if that makes any difference. Provider is in Pa.

Thanks,
Eileen