Bill after over 2.5 years after private operation

Bartoni79

Hi, I had a major operation in a private hospital covered by insurance in June-21. The hospital contacted me in March -24 saying I still have a bill (around £100) to settle for outpatient medication. This is technically correct as my policy doesn’t cover out patient medication but can they bill me out of the blue nearly 3 years after the operation. March-24 was the first I’ve heard of the bill as I thought the medication was covered as part of the op. No contact was made from my discharge in June-21 until March -24 and I’ve not been back to the hospital. Any thoughts on this?

thanks 

pinkshoes

Bartoni79 said:

Hi, I had a major operation in a private hospital covered by insurance in June-21. The hospital contacted me in March -24 saying I still have a bill (around £100) to settle for outpatient medication. This is technically correct as my policy doesn’t cover out patient medication but can they bill me out of the blue nearly 3 years after the operation. March-24 was the first I’ve heard of the bill as I thought the medication was covered as part of the op. No contact was made from my discharge in June-21 until March -24 and I’ve not been back to the hospital. Any thoughts on this?

thanks 

Yes. They have 6 years to chase you for any outstanding debts.

lincroft1710

The hospital has 6 years to chase a debt

Brie

I've had this in the past from private medical stuff - usually they are disorganised and miss things. (IMHO)

eskbanker

Bartoni79 said:

I thought the medication was covered as part of the op

Based solely on lack of request for payment, or is there anything in writing anywhere that would support your view about what was and wasn't included?

prowla

I had something happen some years ago with BUPA; I had some all-inclusive dental work done and some time later I received a bill from BUPA for an X-ray.

I told them it was all-inclusive, but they wouldn't have it and then passed it on to a debt collection agency, who started hounding me.

I continued to stand my ground and the matter was eventually resolved when the consultant went to the establishment's finance people and satthere whilst they removed the debt.

I don't know about the OP's particular case, but it is worth clarifying whether it was indeed all-inclusive.

powerful_Rogue

Bartoni79 said:

Hi, I had a major operation in a private hospital covered by insurance in June-21. The hospital contacted me in March -24 saying I still have a bill (around £100) to settle for outpatient medication. This is technically correct as my policy doesn’t cover out patient medication but can they bill me out of the blue nearly 3 years after the operation. March-24 was the first I’ve heard of the bill as I thought the medication was covered as part of the op. No contact was made from my discharge in June-21 until March -24 and I’ve not been back to the hospital. Any thoughts on this?

thanks 

So you know you owe it. They have six years to chase you for it.

Aylesbury_Duck

As above, yes they can bill you out of the blue.  An administrative error of timing doesn't make the debt invalid, I'm afraid.

Bartoni79

Outpatient medication isn’t covered. 

It’s ambiguous as the medication was given to me as I left the hospital but I would argue that it was required as a result of the procedure where I didn’t 10 days in hospital. I’ll contact my insurer but thanks for all that set me straight that they have 6 years to claim.

Aylesbury_Duck

Bartoni79 said:

Outpatient medication isn’t covered. 

It’s ambiguous as the medication was given to me as I left the hospital but I would argue that it was required as a result of the procedure where I didn’t 10 days in hospital. I’ll contact my insurer but thanks for all that set me straight that they have 6 years to claim.

I'd contact the company that's billed you, first.  Check that a) it isn't an administrative error, and b) that the policy is being applied correctly.  No point calling the insurer if you don't actually owe the money.