COVID Test Bill from 2022

TLDR: I was just notified I have to pay a COVID test bill from 2 years ago that insurance failed to pay. I live in CA.

I need some advice regarding a bill I just received for a COVID test from 2022. Back then, I had double coverage with both Kaiser and Anthem HMO. My family and I got COVID tests from an instant care facility, and all bills were covered without any issues—until now.

Yesterday, I was notified that I owe $374 for one of those tests. I reached out to the billing company, and they said they tried billing Kaiser, but it was denied. I informed them that I had Anthem at the time and asked them to bill Anthem instead. They responded that it was too late to bill Anthem and that I need to cover the cost.

When I asked why they waited two years to notify me, the representative acknowledged the issue and offered to speak to her manager to reduce the bill and would get back to me. She later phoned me back and said they could lower it to $179 if I pay it in full today.

This situation feels off, but the company seems legit, and I got their phone number from their official website. Is there any legal statute in California that prevents them from enforcing a bill two years after the date of service? Any advice on how to handle this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

submitted by /u/D1617_D
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