Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
Medical debt statutes of limitations range from 3-10 years by state. After expiration, collectors cannot sue you.
Written by FairVisitHealth Editorial Team · Healthcare Pricing Analysts
Medically & editorially reviewed by the FairVisitHealth Clinical Team (Clinical & Billing Review). Data sourced from CMS, HRSA, and hospital price transparency filings.
Medical Debt Does Not Last Forever
Every state has a statute of limitations on medical debt. Ranges from 3 years (California, Mississippi, Montana) to 10 years (Rhode Island, West Virginia). After the statute expires, the debt is time-barred.
Time-Barred Means No Lawsuit
Collectors cannot sue for time-barred debt. If they do, the statute of limitations is a complete defense. But they can still contact you, and the debt can appear on credit reports for up to 7 years.
Dont Restart the Clock
Making any payment, even $1, on time-barred debt can restart the statute of limitations. Never pay or acknowledge old debt until checking the statute in your state.
New Credit Reporting Rules
Medical debt under $500 no longer appears on credit reports. Paid medical debt is removed immediately. Medical collections dont appear for the first year.
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