How many days do you have to dispute a medical bill?

• A. 30 days
• B. 90 days
• C. 60 days
• D. 120 days

Answer: (C)

Disputing a medical bill is about the time window you have to flag charges you believe are wrong and start the review process. The standard period in California for this is sixty days from when you receive the bill (or the explanation of benefits) to file a dispute. That window gives you enough time to review the items, check for coding or billing errors, request an itemized statement, and submit supporting documentation to the provider or insurer.

If you file within this sixty-day period, the payer is typically required to investigate and respond within a reasonable timeframe, helping prevent unnecessary collections while errors are corrected. Waiting longer can complicate the dispute and may affect how the bill is processed or pursued.

The other timeframes (thirty, ninety, or one hundred twenty days) don’t align with the standard dispute period used for medical billing in this context.