Timely Filing

Presentación Oportuna

In 9 languages

LanguageTerm
EnglishTimely Filing
Spanish (Español) Presentación Oportuna
Chinese (中文) 及时申报
Korean (한국어) 기한 내 청구
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) Nộp Hồ sơ Đúng hạn
Filipino (Tagalog) Timely Filing
Portuguese (Português) Apresentação Tempestiva
Thai (ภาษาไทย) การยื่นเรียกร้องทันเวลา
Japanese (日本語) 適時請求

What it means

Timely filing is the deadline set by a health insurance plan within which a claim must be submitted after the date of service. Common limits range from 90 days to one year for private insurers; Medicare generally allows one year from the date of service. Missing the timely filing deadline is a frequent reason claims are denied outright. As a patient, you are generally not responsible for claims your provider fails to file on time, but you should alert your insurer promptly if you receive a bill for a service that should have been submitted. Providers who accept Medicare assignment cannot bill you for claims denied solely because of late filing.

How to say it

Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:

TYM-lee FY-ling

presentación oportuna

Also called 'filing deadline' or 'claims submission deadline'

También llamado 'plazo de presentación' o 'fecha límite de reclamación'

A denial notice may say: 'Claim denied — timely filing limit exceeded'

'Reclamación denegada — se superó el plazo de presentación oportuna'

Where you'll see it

Explanation of Benefits denial reasonClaim denial letterInsurer provider manualMedicare remittance advice

Related terms

Sources

US Glossary Español A–Z US Codes United States

Last reviewed: September 2026