How Better Can Get You Paid Back for Old Medical Bills

Your insurance may owe you thousands of dollars for care you paid for out of pocket

Depending on your policy, your out-of-network medical bills may be eligible for reimbursement up to three years after your date of service. If you want to get paid back for those forgotten bills this guide will explain how.

Timely filing requirements

All health insurance companies allow you a period to submit out-of-network claims within certain time limits. Every time you visit an out-of-network healthcare provider, the bill you receive will include the date of service, the day on which you received treatment. The clock is now ticking. According to your particular insurance policy, you will now have a set amount of time to submit that claim to get paid back. This is known as your timely filing deadline.

However, you still have time to send us your bills, even if they are outside of timely filing requirements, and we will work to get them reimbursed.

How long do I have to submit my bill?

Longer than you might think. The standard time limits for timely filing can range from 90 days to 3 years. There is no set standard among insurance companies and often plans within the same company are significantly different. Other factors, including federal and state laws, can extend the timely filing period beyond the limits of a particular policy.

What if my bill is too old?

We strongly recommend filing all medical bills with your insurance, even those outside timely filing. Many insurers will routinely pay bills outside of timely filing. We have recently received reimbursements for care provided all the way back in 2014.

What if my health insurance policy has been cancelled?

Even if your insurance policy has been cancelled, old bills can still be sent to your insurance. The coverage still applies for care you received during the time the policy was in effect. In other words, if you had medical treatment while covered by that old policy and did not submit a claim, we can still get you paid back.

What if the claim is denied?

In many cases, we appeal claims that are denied for not meeting timely filing requirements. There are many reasons why timely filing might not have been possible and policies often include exclusions to cover life events. If there were extenuating circumstances such as serious health issues, not being aware that your healthcare provider did not submit the claim to your insurance, or other life circumstances, explaining this to your insurance can make a difference. People experiencing distressing medical symptoms and worrying about recovery are not always able to handle the complicated paperwork involved in submitting claims.

How to find those old medical bills

Think of all the medical care you’ve received over the last few years. You can start by searching for old bills stuffed in drawers. Did you have any therapy, acupuncture, or wellness treatments? Call your healthcare providers and ask them to email you a PDF of all your visits. This is simple and efficient.