Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State (2024 Guide)
Medical debt statutes of limitations range from three to ten years depending on your state. Collectors cannot sue you after the deadline expires, but the debt remains valid and may still appear on your credit report. If you're sued for expired medical debt, you can use the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense to get the case dismissed.
Answer Your LawsuitThe statute of limitations on medical debt varies by state. Most states allow creditors between three and ten years to sue you for unpaid medical bills.
You need to understand what this timeline means for you. Medical debt remains valid even after the statute expires. Collectors just can’t sue you for it.
Sued for Expired Medical Debt? Respond Now
Don't let collectors win by default. Draft your Answer in 15 minutes and use the expired statute of limitations as your defense. Over 7,600 people have successfully responded to debt lawsuits.
Start Your AnswerMany people believe expired debt disappears from credit reports automatically. That’s false. Credit reporting rules differ from lawsuit timelines.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations on Medical Bills
Medical debt counts as a written contract in all states. The statute of limitations sets a deadline for collectors to file lawsuits against you.
Collectors often sue after the statute expires. They hope you don’t know your rights. If you receive a lawsuit for expired medical debt, you can use this as a defense in court.
Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt collection lawsuits. You can draft and file your Answer quickly, even without an attorney.
When the Clock Starts Ticking
The statute begins from your last payment date. Any contact with collectors can restart the clock in most states.
Acknowledging the debt by phone restarts the timeline. Making a partial payment does too. Even sending a letter confirming you owe money can reset everything.
You must track these dates carefully. One wrong move can give collectors years more time to sue you.
Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
| State | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 6 years |
| Alaska | 6 years |
| Arizona | 5 years |
| Arkansas | 6 years |
| California | 4 years |
| Colorado | 6 years |
| Connecticut | 6 years |
| Delaware | 3 years |
| Florida | 5 years |
| Georgia | 6 years |
| Hawaii | 6 years |
| Idaho | 5 years |
| Illinois | 10 years |
| Indiana | 10 years |
| Iowa | 10 years |
| Kansas | 5 years |
| Kentucky | 10 years |
| Louisiana | 10 years |
| Maine | 6 years |
| Maryland | 3 years |
| Massachusetts | 6 years |
| Michigan | 6 years |
| Minnesota | 6 years |
| Mississippi | 3 years |
| Missouri | 10 years |
| Montana | 8 years |
| Nebraska | 5 years |
| Nevada | 6 years |
| New Hampshire | 3 years |
| New Jersey | 6 years |
| New Mexico | 6 years |
| New York | 6 years |
| North Carolina | 3 years |
| North Dakota | 6 years |
| Ohio | 6 years |
| Oklahoma | 5 years |
| Oregon | 6 years |
| Pennsylvania | 4 years |
| Rhode Island | 10 years |
| South Carolina | 3 years |
| South Dakota | 6 years |
| Tennessee | 6 years |
| Texas | 4 years |
| Utah | 6 years |
| Vermont | 6 years |
| Virginia | 5 years |
| Washington | 6 years |
| West Virginia | 10 years |
| Wisconsin | 6 years |
| Wyoming | 10 years |
Real Example: Texas Medical Debt
Cate injured her knee in Dallas and needed surgery. She couldn’t pay the bills and defaulted on her medical debt.
Texas has a four-year statute of limitations. Collectors contacted Cate repeatedly during those four years. After the deadline passed, a collection company threatened to sue.
Cate knew her rights and ignored the threat. When they sued anyway, she filed an Answer with the expired statute as her defense. The court dismissed her case immediately.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Protects You
Federal law limits what debt collectors can do. The FDCPA sets clear rules for collection agencies and law firms.
Some collectors break these laws hoping you won’t notice. You must know when they cross the line.
Illegal Debt Collection Practices
- Calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. about your debt
- Contacting family members or coworkers about your medical bills
- Ignoring your debt validation requests
- Using threats, profanity, or insults to pressure you
- Claiming they’ll take your license or other documents
- Pretending to be law enforcement or court officials
- Attempting to collect debt they know isn’t yours
- Filing lawsuits after the statute of limitations expires
Report violations to the Federal Trade Commission immediately. File complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Post reviews on the Better Business Bureau profile for the collection agency.
Real Example: Georgia Medical Debt Defense
Casey in Georgia had an $1,800 medical debt over six years old. He forgot about it until Nationwide Collection Agency called repeatedly.
They threatened legal action. Casey received a lawsuit letter but knew Georgia’s six-year statute had expired.
He responded with an Answer citing the expired statute. Nationwide dismissed the case and never contacted him again.
How Credit Bureaus View Medical Debt
Medical debt no longer carries the same weight as mortgages or auto loans. Credit bureaus recognize that medical bills happen unexpectedly.
Major changes took effect in July 2022. These new rules protect consumers from unfair credit damage.
New Medical Debt Reporting Rules
- Paid medical debt no longer appears on your credit report
- Medical debt under $500 won’t be reported starting in 2023
- Unpaid medical debt must wait one year before reporting (up from six months)
These changes will erase 70% of medical debt from credit reports. You still owe the debt, but it won’t hurt your credit score as much.
What to Do If You’re Sued for Medical Debt
You have several options when facing a medical debt lawsuit. Don’t ignore the summons.
Our partner Solo walks you through the response process step by step. You answer questions, and the system creates your legal Answer document.
Getting Help with Your Case
Contact your state attorney general’s office for specific statute information. They provide free guidance on state laws.
Local legal aid offices offer limited help if you qualify. Resources are scarce, so call early.
Hiring a private attorney costs money. Weigh this expense against your debt amount.
You can represent yourself effectively with the right tools. Thousands of people successfully respond to collectors without attorneys.
Tools to Fight Medical Debt Collectors
Several legal documents help you respond to medical debt collection efforts. Each serves a different purpose in your defense.
Debt Validation Letter
Send this after receiving initial collection contact. The collector must prove they own your debt and the amount is accurate.
Answer to Lawsuit
File this within 14-30 days of receiving a summons. Include the expired statute of limitations as your affirmative defense.
Motion to Compel Arbitration
Request out-of-court settlement if your original contract included arbitration clauses. Many medical providers include these terms.
Settlement Negotiations
Collectors often accept less than the full amount. You can negotiate a reduced payment to close the debt permanently.
Our partner Solo provides all these tools in one place. Over 7,600 consumers have successfully resolved collector issues using these documents.
Protecting Yourself from Medical Debt Lawsuits
Knowledge is your best defense against aggressive collectors. Understanding your state’s statute of limitations gives you power.
Keep records of all payments and communications. Document dates and names of everyone you speak with.
Never acknowledge old debt without checking the statute first. One statement can restart the entire timeline.
Respond to lawsuits even when you believe the debt is expired. Courts require a formal Answer to dismiss cases.
You can win against debt collectors. The law protects consumers who know their rights and use them correctly.