The question of whether a doctor can bill you two years later in California is a complex one. The answer depends on the type of service rendered and the date of service or discharge.
For services rendered, or inpatient discharges, on or after January 1, 2017, there is a statutory requirement that medical bills be submitted within 12 months of the date of service, or within 12 months of the date of discharge for an inpatient bill. (California Labor Code section 4603.2.) This means that a doctor cannot bill you two years later for services rendered or inpatient discharges on or after January 1, 2017.
However, for services rendered or inpatient discharges prior to January 1, 2017, there is no statutory requirement regarding the submission of medical bills. In this case, a doctor may be able to bill you two years later, depending on the terms of the doctor’s contract with the patient.
It is important to note that if a doctor does bill you two years later for services rendered or inpatient discharges prior to January 1, 2017, the doctor may be in violation of the Unfair Competition Law (UCL). Under the UCL, it is illegal for a doctor to bill a patient for services that are more than one year old.
In addition, if a doctor does bill you two years later for services rendered or inpatient discharges prior to January 1, 2017, the doctor may be in violation of the California Medical Board’s regulations. The California Medical Board requires that medical bills be submitted within a reasonable period of time after the date of service or discharge.
In conclusion, a doctor cannot bill you two years later for services rendered or inpatient discharges on or after January 1, 2017. However, for services rendered or inpatient discharges prior to January 1, 2017, a doctor may be able to bill you two years later, depending on the terms of the doctor’s contract with the patient. If a doctor does bill you two years later for services rendered or inpatient discharges prior to January 1, 2017, the doctor may be in violation of the Unfair Competition Law and the California Medical Board’s regulations.
