State Medical Debt Protection Laws: Know Your Rights
Medical debt protections vary dramatically by state. Some states have strong consumer protections. Others leave patients with minimal rights. Find your state's protections below.
Comprehensive charity care, collection limits, credit protections
Some state protections plus federal baseline
Federal rules only (No Surprises Act, FDCPA, 501(r))
California
Hospital Fair Pricing Act, charity care for income up to 400% FPL, limits on collections, liens prohibited on primary residence.
Colorado
Hospital Transparency Act, affordability programs required, no wage garnishment for medical debt, interest rate caps.
Connecticut
Hospital billing regulations, charity care required at all hospitals, limits on collections agencies.
Illinois
Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, free care up to 200% FPL (600% at some hospitals), limits on debt collectors.
Maine
Hospital charity care requirements, medical debt removed from credit after 4 years, strong collection limits.
Maryland
Financial assistance required at all hospitals, regulated hospital rates, Health Services Cost Review Commission oversight.
Massachusetts
Health Safety Net program provides free care for low-income residents, strong patient protections.
Nevada
Medical debt credit reporting restrictions, charity care requirements, strong collection protections.
New Jersey
Comprehensive charity care program, income-based sliding scale, strong patient protections.
New York
Emergency Medical Services Act, financial assistance required, strong consumer protections, Surprise Bill Law (predates federal).
North Carolina
Hospital payment program offers 100% discount for families earning up to approximately $62K, strong collection restrictions.
Oregon
Hospital financial assistance required, collections restrictions, strong consumer protections for medical debt.
Rhode Island
Charity care requirements at all hospitals, affordable payment plans mandated, collection restrictions.
Washington
Charity care act with income-based thresholds, strong collections restrictions, balance billing protections.
Arizona
Some protections for indigent patients, AHCCCS coverage for low-income, limited charity care.
Georgia
Limits on wage garnishment (still high at 25%), some hospital financial assistance.
Indiana
Hospital financial assistance required at nonprofits, moderate consumer protections.
Minnesota
Income-based charity care at nonprofits, MinnesotaCare for some low-income, moderate protections.
Montana
Limits on medical debt interest, some consumer protections, moderate hospital requirements.
New Mexico
Charity care at nonprofits, moderate collection protections, growing patient rights.
Pennsylvania
Hospital financial assistance required, cannot garnish wages for most consumer debts including medical debt.
Vermont
Charity care at nonprofit hospitals, moderate protections, small state with accessible advocacy.
Virginia
Limits on medical debt collections, community benefit requirements for hospitals.
Wisconsin
Hospital financial assistance required at nonprofits, moderate collection protections.
Alabama
Federal protections only. No state-specific medical debt protections beyond IRS 501(r) for nonprofits.
Alaska
One of the shortest statutes of limitations at 3 years, but no specific state medical debt protections.
Arkansas
Federal protections only. Limited state consumer protections for medical debt.
Delaware
Short 3-year SOL is favorable but no specific state medical debt protections.
Florida
Federal protections only. Strong homestead exemption but no specific medical debt laws.
Hawaii
Federal protections apply. Some hospital assistance available but no comprehensive state law.
Idaho
Federal protections only. No state-specific medical debt protections.
Iowa
Federal protections only. Limited state consumer protections.
Kansas
Federal protections only. Standard consumer protections.
Kentucky
Federal protections only. Standard consumer protections.
Louisiana
Short 3-year SOL. Federal protections apply. No specific state medical debt protections.
Michigan
Federal protections apply. Limited specific medical debt protections.
Mississippi
Short 3-year SOL. Federal protections apply. No specific state medical debt laws.
Missouri
Federal protections only. Standard consumer protections.
Nebraska
Federal protections only. Standard consumer protections.
North Dakota
Federal protections only. Standard consumer protections.
Ohio
Federal protections only. Standard consumer protections with moderate homestead exemption.
Oklahoma
Federal protections only. Unlimited homestead exemption provides some asset protection.
South Carolina
Short 3-year SOL and no wage garnishment for medical debt. Federal protections apply.
South Dakota
Federal protections only. Unlimited homestead exemption protects home.
Tennessee
Federal protections only. Standard consumer protections.
Texas
No wage garnishment for medical debt and strong homestead protection, but no specific medical debt laws.
Utah
Federal protections only. Standard consumer protections.
West Virginia
Long 10-year SOL for written contracts. Federal protections apply. Limited state protections.
Wyoming
Long 10-year SOL. Federal protections apply. No state-specific medical debt laws.
District of Columbia
Short 3-year SOL. Federal protections apply. DC-specific protections for low-income residents.
Key Protections by Category
Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
The statute of limitations is the time period during which a creditor can sue you to collect a debt. After it expires, the debt becomes "time-barred" -- collectors can still call but cannot sue you.
Warning: Payments Can Restart the Clock
Making a payment -- even a small one -- can restart the statute of limitations in many states. Before making any payment on old debt, verify whether this applies in your state.
| State | Written Contracts | Oral Contracts |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland (MD) | 3 years | 3 years |
| North Carolina (NC) | 3 years | 3 years |
| Alaska (AK) | 3 years | 3 years |
| Delaware (DE) | 3 years | 3 years |
| Louisiana (LA) | 3 years | 3 years |
| Mississippi (MS) | 3 years | 3 years |
| South Carolina (SC) | 3 years | 3 years |
| District of Columbia (DC) | 3 years | 3 years |
| California (CA) | 4 years | 2 years |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | 4 years | 4 years |
| Texas (TX) | 4 years | 4 years |
| Illinois (IL) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Montana (MT) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Virginia (VA) | 5 years | 3 years |
| Arkansas (AR) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Florida (FL) | 5 years | 4 years |
| Idaho (ID) | 5 years | 4 years |
| Iowa (IA) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Kansas (KS) | 5 years | 3 years |
| Kentucky (KY) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Missouri (MO) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Nebraska (NE) | 5 years | 4 years |
| Oklahoma (OK) | 5 years | 3 years |
| Colorado (CO) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Connecticut (CT) | 6 years | 3 years |
| Maine (ME) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Massachusetts (MA) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Nevada (NV) | 6 years | 4 years |
| New Jersey (NJ) | 6 years | 6 years |
| New York (NY) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Oregon (OR) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Washington (WA) | 6 years | 3 years |
| Arizona (AZ) | 6 years | 3 years |
| Georgia (GA) | 6 years | 4 years |
| Indiana (IN) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Minnesota (MN) | 6 years | 6 years |
| New Mexico (NM) | 6 years | 4 years |
| Vermont (VT) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Wisconsin (WI) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Alabama (AL) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Hawaii (HI) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Michigan (MI) | 6 years | 6 years |
| North Dakota (ND) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Ohio (OH) | 6 years | 6 years |
| South Dakota (SD) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Tennessee (TN) | 6 years | 6 years |
| Utah (UT) | 6 years | 4 years |
| Rhode Island (RI) | 10 years | 10 years |
| West Virginia (WV) | 10 years | 5 years |
| Wyoming (WY) | 10 years | 8 years |
What to Do in Your State
Strong Protection States
Request charity care screening immediately -- your state requires hospitals to screen for financial assistance before pursuing collections
Cite your state law in any dispute letter (e.g., California Hospital Fair Pricing Act, Colorado HB 21-1198)
File a complaint with your state AG if the hospital violates your rights
Check credit reporting -- your state may have additional restrictions beyond federal rules
Moderate Protection States
Ask about financial assistance -- nonprofit hospitals must offer it under IRS 501(r)
Invoke the No Surprises Act for any emergency or out-of-network services at in-network facilities
Check your state AG for any new medical debt legislation -- several states are strengthening protections
Know your wage garnishment limits -- some moderate states have better limits than the federal 25%
Basic Protection States
Always request financial assistance at nonprofit hospitals -- IRS 501(r) applies in every state
Use federal protections: No Surprises Act, FDCPA, FCRA rules on medical debt credit reporting
Negotiate aggressively -- hospitals in basic-protection states may still offer 30-70% discounts for prompt payment
Check your homestead exemption -- states like TX, FL, and IA have unlimited exemptions protecting your home
Recent State Law Changes (2023-2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and Resources
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