My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Nevada
Hello!
We were checking my wife’s credit report the other day, and came across a collection for a medical visit almost 6 years ago. I did some checking around here’s what seems to have happened:
I was active duty military at the time, covered under Tricare and my wife was a dependent. We went in for a medical appointment on August 3rd, and were referred to a civilian clinic off base for the procedure. They couldn’t get us in until August 14th. My date of separation from the military, and termination of benefits was August 10th. This was in 2007.
Now since it’s been so long, the details are a little hazy, but I could have sworn I asked someone if it would still be covered, and they said since there was a referral in place, it would be ok, so we went ahead with the procedure. That was the last we heard about it until a couple weeks ago, when it popped up on our credit report as an overdue, unpaid debt.
I’ve tried working with Tricare, but they are insistent that benefits are cut on the date of separation regardless of anything that may be pending. I also have a few bucks left over in my flexible spending account I was thinking I might be able to use, but they said they only pay for procedures in the same year.
So, is it even legal to attempt to collect a debt that old (6 years)? Is there any recourse or action I can take since I never got any bills or notices? I simply don’t have $500 just laying around these days. Thanks for any help!

