Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State (2026 Guide)
Every debt has an expiration date — a statute of limitations after which a creditor or collector can no longer sue you to collect. Medical debt is no exception.
Understanding this limit can mean the difference between paying an old bill and legally ignoring it.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Medical Debt?
The statute of limitations is the time period during which a creditor can file a lawsuit against you to collect a debt. Once this period expires, the debt becomes “time-barred” — the collector can still ask you to pay, but they cannot sue you.
For medical debt, the clock typically starts on the date of your last payment or the date the bill became delinquent.
Statute of Limitations by State (Selected)
| State | Years | State | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4 | New York | 6 |
| Texas | 4 | Florida | 5 |
| Illinois | 5 | Ohio | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | Georgia | 6 |
Note: Verify your specific state’s current statute with a local attorney, as laws change.
Important Warnings
Making a payment restarts the clock. Even a $1 payment on a time-barred debt can reset the statute of limitations, making the full debt collectible again. Never make a payment on old debt without understanding whether it’s time-barred.
Acknowledging the debt in writing may also restart the clock in some states.
Time-barred doesn’t mean forgiven. The debt still exists — collectors can still contact you and ask for payment. They just can’t sue. You can send a cease-contact letter if you want calls to stop.
What About Your Credit Report?
Medical collections can remain on your credit report for 7 years regardless of the statute of limitations. However, under new CFPB rules, medical collections under $500 are removed entirely, and paid medical collections must be removed immediately.
