Statute of Limitations on Hospital Bill in CA

You can not be turned in to collections as longer as you are making payment. I had a medical bill that I didn't agree with because it was a follow up that was not included in surgery price but anyway, I paid only $25 a month and they had to keep it out of collections.

Also, legally look up "acord and satisfaction" (accord, not sure if one c or 2). We tried this but the company was out of state and you can not take an out of state company to small claims without filing in that state and traveling there. Basicly, we were told if you write that in the check memo and they cash it then they agree that bill is paid. Like I said, look up exactly how it work because it didn't work for us because we dropped the issue when we found out we would have to fly to were the company was.

I'm not sure about the statue of limitations but what may work for you is to call the billing department and tell them that your circumstances have changed from 2.5 years ago and that you cannot afford to pay the bill. Then ask to apply for hardship / charity care. They may not like it but I'm fairly sure they have to send you the application. You'll have to provide some information and then it will be reviewed and if you qualify all or most of your bill will be brought to a zero balance. It's ridiculous that the bill is so old but it happens all the time. It's also ridiculous that with health insurance we are still hit with such high bills. What a broken system!!! Anyway, try this and if it doesn't work insist on a payment plan that works for you and not them. Don't let them bully you. You are in control if they want their money. Good luck!!!

Sadly, I don't know what the statute of limitations are. I would venture to guess that you have not reached it yet. I do know, however, that hospitals hire auditors to look through their books. These auditors find services that never got billed, etc. The hospital then attempts to collect on these unpaid services. The auditors often get paid a commission on what they find. You may have been one of those cases that fell through the cracks and was caught during an auditing process.

Hope this help. I believe they have right to collect from you. I got the below from online website. Just type California Statutes of Limitation
for debt colleciton.

California Statutes of Limitation

Written agreements: 4 years, calculated from the date of breach.

Oral agreements: 2 years.

The statute of limitation is stopped only if the debtor makes a payment on the account after the expiration of the applicable limitations period.