Final answer:
The correct statement about timely filing is that it can sometimes be waived, but it's typically not. Claims filed late are often denied by insurance companies, and providers usually cannot bill the patient for these late claims due to contract terms with insurers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The true statement of timely filing is: Timely filing can be waived, but it's not usually done. Timely filing requirements dictate that health care providers must submit claims to insurance companies within a certain time period in order for those claims to be considered for payment. If a claim is submitted past the filing deadline, the insurance company can deny payment. In some exceptional circumstances, the timely filing deadline may be waived, but this is not common practice. When a claim is denied for being filed late, the provider generally cannot bill the patient due to the contractual agreement with the insurer that requires adherence to filing deadlines.
This means that if a claim is submitted after the deadline, it may be denied by the insurance company and the provider may lose the opportunity to bill the patient.