Q: Is it legal to be suddenly billed for months of medical equipment usage?
I've had a CPAP for at least a year and was told that my insurance would cover it. I've just received a bill in the mail with charges going back for the last 5 months. I called the number on the bill and asked why they started charging me 5 months ago, and why they didn't send me any bills at the time they first started charging me. The person on the phone said they could not answewer thsose questions and that there was no one they could transfer me to. Is it legal for them to bill someone like this (state of Indiana)?
A: An Indiana attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Until you are able to consult with a local attorney on specific Indiana law, there are usually protocols for submitting bills observed nationwide (either through insurance regulations or through the provisions of the carrier) that govern the timetables for submitting bills - to prevent the kind of surprise bill you experienced. You could reach out to your state's department of insurance. In most states, these agencies oversee compliance with consumer protections in insurance matters. You could ask about your matter there. Good luck
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