Dr messed up on billing, now lab say it’s too late to charge insurance?! Am I being scammed?

About a year ago I had a mole removed at the dermatologist. At this appointment I updated my address and insurance information (I had moved and switched jobs so new insurance entirely). Everything for my visit with the doctor went through with my new insurance just fine.

I also have a new address, but am getting the mail forwarded so it’s not like mail was sent to my old address and I never got it.

This dermatologist sends labs to an outside lab. I signed that I was ok with this (and this same lab has done stuff before for a doctor for me years ago with my old insurance). I never received a bill from the lab, I honestly forgot about it all with life and figured my insurance just paid in full.

I just got a call from the lab company that they tried to charge my old insurance (did name the company of my old insurance in the voicemail) with labs for the dermatologist (did name the correct business name).

The voicemail says that they tried to charge my old insurance but I don’t have that insurance anymore so it didn’t go through and that it may be too late to charge a new insurance due to the time that has passed and I will be responsible for the bill.

How is it my fault that the doctors did not communicate the change in insurance?

Can the doctor be held accountable for this? I also think it’s on the lab for this being their first attempt at contacting me. The billing should have been completed a long time ago.

I can afford the bill, I just think I shouldn’t have to—only have to pay the co-pay if they had done their job right.

How do I also make sure this isn’t a scam? It’s off the contact only came through phone call.

submitted by /u/Vegetable_Top_9580
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