Medical Bill from 7.5 years ago

[At_1254]

Hello, I just got an email and a text message from a PCP office for a visit I had about 7.5 years ago. I was directly from the office and not a CA. When I clicked on the link and bill, they did not send a claim to my insurance company. Obviously, it is too late now to file a claim and I don't even have the same insurance. It was actually for an annual physical, so if they billed my insurance it should be no cost to me. The SOL for medical debt for that state is 6 years so I know they can't sue me (plus it was only for $175). Part of me just wants to pay it get rid of it, but part of me doesn't since it was so long ago and they didn't bill it properly. I know medical debt under $500 typically doesn't show up on CR's anymore, but I would like to buy a house soon and I believe they would show up on the mortgage scores like Experian 2. However, my question is, can they report it to the credit agencies since it is +7 years? That should be an easy dispute, correct? Just looking for general advice on what others might do in my situation. Funny enough I worked as a clerk in medical billing during college and we would never bill someone after 2 years let alone 7! Thanks! 

[JoeRockhead]

Whether you pay it not is your call. The debt is time barred from being reported, it would be an FCRA violation to do so.

[GZG]

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@At_1254 wrote:

and I believe they would show up on the mortgage scores like Experian 2. However, my question is, can they report it to the credit agencies since it is +7 years?

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It shouldn't be able to show up on your report, and because it can't show up on your report, it can't impact your mortgage scores at all, unless you have like a personal long standing relationship with that doctor or doctor's office or something, I'd just let it go

could go as far as a cease and desist to get them to stop messaging you about it, but I doubt that would be necessary

[pizzadude]

You should be safe to ignore it, as mentioned above it won't show on your reports or FICO scores because 1) it's time barred past the CRTP 2) it's a medical debt under $500. 

[FlaDude]

I'd tell them to pound sand. If they waited until too late to file with your insurance and never sent you a single notice in 7 years, that's on them. Since you probably can't get EOBs for 7 years ago, you can't even verify that the insurance company didn't pay them.

[At_1254]

Thank you all for the replies! This is very helpful!