Texas Medical Billing Deadlines: What Doctors Can Wait to Bill You

According to the Texas Medical Board, a doctor has the right to bill a patient for services rendered until the account is paid in full. However, there are some limitations on how long a doctor can wait to bill a patient.

For health insurance companies: A doctor can only bill a health insurance company for services rendered within the time frame specified in the insurance contract. This time frame is typically 90 days from the date of service, but it can vary from insurer to insurer.

For patients who do not have health insurance: A doctor can bill a patient for services rendered at any time. However, the doctor must send the patient a bill within a reasonable amount of time. What constitutes a "reasonable amount of time" is not defined in Texas law, but it is generally considered to be within 30 days of the date of service.

If you have received a bill from a doctor for services rendered more than 30 days ago, you can contact the doctor's office and request an explanation. If you believe that the bill is in error, you can file a complaint with the Texas Medical Board.