Filed after the deadline: what it means and what to do
The claim reached the insurer after its filing deadline, which can be 90 days to more than a year from the date of service depending on the plan.
- “Past the filing limit”
- “Claim not filed timely”
What to check first
- When the first claim went in. The clearinghouse report or mail receipt shows it.
- Whether it was first rejected, sent to the wrong insurer, or held for another plan's payment.
What to do
Appeal with proof the first claim was on time, or that the delay wasn't yours. Without proof, in network the office usually can't bill the patient.
Stop it next time
File within days of the visit and work rejections the day they arrive.
Next steps
- Appeal letter: claim denied as filed too late
Insurers word these differently, and many print a numbered reason code too. Read the words on the explanation of benefits; they say which of these it is.
Sources
Read November 11, 2026. Where a source describes one insurer's plans, we say so.
Get the patient's share in dollars, from the benefits page
Most denials can be seen coming on the benefits page. Tabruns reads the coverage, deductible, yearly maximum, waiting periods and frequency limits from the insurer's portal and works out what the patient owes. Patient details stay on the office computer.
Not ready? Try the free patient portion calculator.
Other denials
- Frequency limit reached
- Yearly maximum reached
- Waiting period not met
- Not a covered benefit
- Alternate benefit applied
- Included in another procedure
- More information needed
- Patient not covered on the date of service
- Other insurance information needed
- Missing tooth clause
- Not supported by the records
- Replacement too soon
- Applied to deductible