Medical Debt Rights by State (2026)
About this article
Sourced from primary statutes (U.S. Code, CFR, state compiled statutes) and official government agency guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
Compare by state
Statute citations are verified per state. Select a state to jump to its full section below.
| Primary statute | |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Ala. Code § 6-2-34 — 6-Year Statute of Limitations |
| Alaska | Alaska Limitation on Actions — Alaska Stat. § 09.10.050 |
| Arizona | A.R.S. § 36-2901 et seq. — AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid program for medical debt prevention) |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Constitution, Art. 19, § 13 — usury limit on medical debt interest |
| California | California Health & Safety Code § 127400 — Hospital Fair Pricing Act (AB 1020, charity care) |
| Colorado | C.R.S. § 25.5-3-501 et seq. — hospital discounted care program for low-income patients |
| Connecticut | CGS § 52-576 — Statute of limitations (written contracts, 6 years) |
| Delaware | Delaware Wage Garnishment — 15% limit, 10 Del. C. § 4913 |
| District of Columbia | D.C. Statute of Limitations, D.C. Code § 12-301(7) |
| Florida | Florida Wage Exemption for Head of Household, Fla. Stat. § 222.11 |
| Georgia | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 — 6-Year Statute of Limitations (Written Contracts) |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Statute of Limitations — HRS § 657-1 |
| Idaho | Idaho Code § 5-216 — 5-year statute of limitations on written contracts |
| Illinois | 210 ILCS 89 — Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act / Fair Patient Billing Act |
| Indiana | Indiana Code § 34-11-2-9 — 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (written contracts) |
| Iowa | Iowa Code § 537.7101 — Iowa Debt Collection Practices Act |
| Kansas | K.S.A. § 60-511 — 5-Year Statute of Limitations on Contracts |
| Kentucky | KRS § 413.090 — Statute of Limitations for Written Contracts |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Civil Code Art. 3494 — Three-Year Prescriptive Period on Medical Debt |
| Maine | 5 M.R.S.A. § 205-A — Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act |
| Maryland | Maryland Hospital Financial Assistance, MD Code, Health-General § 19-214.1 |
| Massachusetts | MGL c. 118E — MassHealth (Medicaid) program |
| Michigan | MCL § 400.105 — Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid expansion) |
| Minnesota | Minn. Stat. § 541.05 — Statute of Limitations on Contracts |
| Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-29 — 3-year statute of limitations on contracts (medical debt) |
| Missouri | Missouri Statute of Limitations — Written Contracts, RSMo § 516.110 |
| Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 70-32-104 — homestead exemption (protects home equity from medical debt judgments) |
| Nebraska | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205 — 5-Year Statute of Limitations |
| Nevada | NRS 11.190 — Statute of Limitations (Written Contracts) |
| New Hampshire | RSA 508:4 — NH 3-year statute of limitations |
| New Jersey | NJ statute of limitations on debt, N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1 |
| New Mexico | NMSA § 37-1-3 — 6-year statute of limitations on written contracts |
| New York | NY Public Health Law § 2807-k — nonprofit hospital financial assistance requirements |
| North Carolina | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 — Statute of limitations (3 years for medical debt) |
| North Dakota | N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16 — Statute of Limitations (6-Year) |
| Ohio | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 — 6-year statute of limitations on written contracts (medical debt) |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Statute of Limitations — Medical Debt, Okla. Stat. tit. 12 § 95 |
| Oregon | Oregon statute of limitations on contract claims — ORS § 12.080 |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act, 73 P.S. § 2270.4 |
| Rhode Island | R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-1 et seq. — Deceptive Trade Practices Act (medical debt) |
| South Carolina | S.C. Code § 15-3-530 — Statute of Limitations |
| South Dakota | SDCL § 43-45-3 — Homestead Exemption (Unlimited Value) |
| Tennessee | TCA § 29-22-101 — Hospital Lien Law |
| Texas | Texas No Wage Garnishment for Consumer Debt, Tex. Const. Art. XVI, § 28 |
| Utah | Utah Statute of Limitations — Utah Code § 78B-2-309 |
| Vermont | 12 V.S.A. § 511 — Vermont 6-year statute of limitations |
| Virginia | Virginia Statute of Limitations — Written Contracts, Va. Code § 8.01-246 |
| Washington | Washington Charity Care Act, RCW 70.170 |
| West Virginia | W. Va. Code § 55-2-6 — Statute of limitations (written contracts, 10 years) |
| Wisconsin | Wis. Stat. § 893.43 — Six-Year Statute of Limitations |
| Wyoming | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 — statute of limitations (10-year written / 8-year oral contracts) |
What is this right?
Medical debt is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States — an estimated 100 million Americans carry some. The legal landscape has shifted hard in the consumer's direction over the past few years. The No Surprises Act (January 2022) shut down most balance billing for emergency care and out-of-network treatment at in-network facilities. The three major credit bureaus voluntarily removed medical debt under $500 from credit reports in 2023, and all paid medical debt regardless of amount. The CFPB finalized a January 2025 rule removing all medical debt from credit reports — but a federal court vacated it in July 2025 in Cornerstone Credit Union League v. CFPB, so the broader removal never took effect.
When does it apply?
Your medical debt rights apply when:
- You received a bill you cannot afford or think is wrong.
- You got emergency care at an out-of-network hospital or out-of-network treatment at an in-network facility.
- A medical debt collector is contacting you.
- Medical debt appeared on your credit report.
- You are being sued for medical debt.
The key protections:
- No Surprises Act. No balance billing for emergency services, out-of-network air ambulances, or out-of-network providers at in-network facilities (unless you gave written consent). You pay only your in-network cost-sharing.
- Nonprofit hospital rules. Under IRC § 501(r), every tax-exempt hospital must publish a financial assistance policy and screen patients before pursuing collections. Many patients qualify for free or reduced-cost care and are never told.
- Credit reporting. As of 2023, paid medical debt and unpaid medical debt under $500 do not appear on credit reports. The CFPB broader 2025 rule removing all medical debt was vacated in July 2025 before it took effect.
- Good faith estimate. Uninsured patients can demand a Good Faith Estimate before scheduled care. Final bill exceeds the estimate by $400+ and you can dispute it.
Three myths:
- "I have to pay whatever they charge." Hospital chargemaster prices are often inflated 5x to 10x what insurers actually pay. Itemized bills, dispute, negotiation — all real options.
- "Medical debt will ruin my credit forever." Medical debt under $500 does not appear on credit reports, and all paid medical debt is removed. The trend has been strongly toward removing medical debt from credit entirely.
- "Nonprofit hospitals do not have to help me." They do, by federal tax law. Income thresholds for charity care are often surprisingly generous — frequently 200—400% of the federal poverty level.
What to Do If You Get a Medical Bill You Can't Afford
Step 1: Get the itemized bill and check it line by line. Independent studies have found errors in a significant share of medical bills. Compare the itemized bill against your insurance EOB.
Step 2: Surprise bill? File the No Surprises complaint. Contact your insurer, the provider, and CMS at 1-800-985-3059. You should owe only your in-network cost-sharing amount under the Act.
Step 3: Ask about financial assistance. Most hospitals are nonprofits and required by IRC § 501(r) to have a financial assistance policy. Request the application — you may qualify for free or reduced-cost care even with insurance.
Step 4: Negotiate. Hospitals regularly accept less than the billed amount. Ask for a reduction, an interest-free payment plan, or offer a lump-sum settlement. Get every agreement in writing before paying.
Step 5: If it goes to collections, invoke FDCPA. Request debt validation in writing within 30 days. Medical debt collectors are bound by the same rules as any other third-party collector. If it's on your credit report, check whether it qualifies for removal under the post-2023 reporting rules.
What should you NOT do?
Don't pay a bill you haven't verified. Itemized bill, EOB comparison, error check — then pay. Errors are common and hard to claw back once paid.
Don't put medical debt on a credit card. Medical debt has its own protections (financial assistance eligibility, weaker credit reporting). All of those disappear when you turn it into credit card debt at 24% interest.
Don't ignore the bill entirely. Even with the new credit reporting rules, ignored bills become lawsuits, wage garnishments, and judgments. The right move is to engage — negotiate, apply for assistance, set up a payment plan — not vanish.
Don't assume you don't qualify for financial assistance. Income thresholds for hospital charity care often run 200—400% of the federal poverty level. Apply even if you think your income is too high. The application is short.
Worked example
ScenarioYou go to an in-network hospital for emergency surgery, but an out-of-network anesthesiologist sends you a separate $3,000 'balance bill' for the difference.
OutcomeThe federal No Surprises Act generally bars that balance bill: for emergency care, and for out-of-network providers treating you at an in-network facility, you can only be charged your normal in-network cost-sharing — not the out-of-network difference.
Verified against the No Surprises Act (effective Jan 1, 2022). On credit reports, the bureaus voluntarily removed paid and under-$500 medical collections (2022–2023); the CFPB's broader 2025 medical-debt rule was vacated by a federal court in July 2025. Educational information, not legal advice.
You shouldn't have to hire a lawyer to assert your rights.
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Can I be billed for out-of-network emergency care?
Generally not beyond your in-network cost-sharing. The federal No Surprises Act bans surprise balance bills for most emergency services and for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. You pay your normal in-network deductible and coinsurance, not the out-of-network difference.
Does medical debt hurt my credit score?
Less than it used to. The national credit bureaus voluntarily removed paid medical collections and unpaid medical collections under $500 from credit reports (2022–2023). Larger unpaid medical collections can still appear, and a broader federal ban was struck down in court in 2025.
How long before a medical bill goes to collections?
It varies, but unpaid bills are often sent to collections after several months. Before paying or being reported, you can request an itemized bill, check it for errors, ask about financial assistance, and dispute incorrect charges. Your state's section above notes added protections.
Do hospitals have to offer financial assistance?
Nonprofit hospitals must have written financial-assistance (charity-care) policies under federal tax rules, and many states require it more broadly. You can ask for the policy and apply — often even after the bill. Check your state's section for state charity-care requirements.
Can medical debt collectors call me like other collectors?
Medical-debt collectors must follow the federal FDCPA — no calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., no harassment, and you can demand they stop or validate the debt. See the debt-collector guide and your state's section above for extra rules.
State-by-state details
Alabama
Primary statute: Ala. Code § 6-2-34 — 6-Year Statute of Limitations
Full Alabama guide →Alaska
Primary statute: Alaska Limitation on Actions — Alaska Stat. § 09.10.050
Full Alaska guide →Arizona
Primary statute: A.R.S. § 36-2901 et seq. — AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid program for medical debt prevention)
Arizona provides some protections for individuals dealing with medical debt:
- Arizona expanded Medicaid through the AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) program, which reduces medical debt exposure for eligible low-income residents
- Arizona has limited specific medical debt protections beyond general debtor protections
- The statute of limitations for medical debt is 6 years for written contracts (A.R.S. § 12-548)
- Arizona allows wage garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings for medical debt judgments
- Arizona's strong anti-deficiency statute for purchase money mortgages (A.R.S. § 33-814(G)) indirectly helps medical debtors by protecting home equity from certain creditor actions
- The homestead exemption of $250,000 per person protects home equity from medical debt collection
Arkansas
Primary statute: Arkansas Constitution, Art. 19, § 13 — usury limit on medical debt interest
Arkansas medical debt protections come primarily from federal law, with limited state additions:
- Federal law (effective 2023–2025) removed most medical debt from credit reports — the CFPB has issued rules limiting medical debt reporting
- Arkansas hospitals that receive state or federal funding must provide charity care or financial assistance programs for low-income patients
- Nonprofit hospitals are required to have financial assistance policies and must provide plain-language summaries
- Arkansas's statute of limitations for medical debt is 5 years for written contracts
- Medical debt collectors must follow the federal FDCPA — you can dispute debts in writing within 30 days
- Arkansas does not have a state law specifically capping medical debt interest rates beyond the state usury limit
- The Arkansas Constitution's usury provision (Art. 19, § 13) may limit interest on unpaid medical bills
California
Primary statute: California Health & Safety Code § 127400 — Hospital Fair Pricing Act (AB 1020, charity care)
Full California guide →Colorado
Primary statute: C.R.S. § 25.5-3-501 et seq. — hospital discounted care program for low-income patients
Colorado has enacted significant medical debt protections for consumers:
- Hospital Discounted Care Program: Colorado requires hospitals to provide discounted care to patients with incomes below a certain threshold — reducing or eliminating bills for qualifying patients
- Surprise billing protections (HB 19-1174): Colorado prohibits balance billing for emergency services and certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities when the patient receives care from an out-of-network provider
- Statute of limitations: Medical debt is subject to Colorado's 6-year statute of limitations on contract claims
- Wage garnishment protections: Colorado provides strong garnishment protections — the first $1,628/month in disposable earnings is exempt (adjusted annually)
- Medical debt and credit reporting: Under federal law (effective 2023), paid medical debt is removed from credit reports, and medical debt under $500 is excluded
- Colorado hospitals must provide clear written notice of financial assistance programs
Connecticut
Primary statute: CGS § 52-576 — Statute of limitations (written contracts, 6 years)
Connecticut provides strong protections for individuals dealing with medical debt:
- Connecticut expanded Medicaid under the ACA through Access Health CT, significantly reducing medical debt exposure for eligible residents
- The statute of limitations for medical debt (written contracts) is 6 years in Connecticut
- Wage garnishment is limited to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 40x the state minimum wage ($16.94/hr), whichever is less — Connecticut's high minimum wage provides greater protection
- Connecticut enacted Public Act 22-92 requiring hospitals to screen patients for financial assistance eligibility before pursuing collections
- Nonprofit hospitals must offer charity care programs and financial assistance policies
- The federal No Surprises Act protects against surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities
Delaware
Primary statute: Delaware Wage Garnishment — 15% limit, 10 Del. C. § 4913
Full Delaware guide →District of Columbia
Primary statute: D.C. Statute of Limitations, D.C. Code § 12-301(7)
D.C. provides strong protections for residents dealing with medical debt:
- Short statute of limitations: D.C.'s statute of limitations on most consumer debt, including medical debt, is 3 years (D.C. Code § 12-301(7)) — one of the shortest in the country
- Wage garnishment limits: D.C. limits wage garnishment to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly earnings exceed 40 times the D.C. minimum wage, whichever is less (D.C. Code § 16-572)
- D.C. Healthcare Alliance: Provides coverage to D.C. residents not eligible for Medicaid, including undocumented immigrants, reducing medical debt accumulation
- Expanded Medicaid: D.C. covers adults up to 210% FPL — well above the 138% ACA threshold — meaning fewer residents face uninsured medical bills
- CPPA protections: The D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act prohibits unfair debt collection practices related to medical bills, with treble damages available
Florida
Primary statute: Florida Wage Exemption for Head of Household, Fla. Stat. § 222.11
Full Florida guide →Georgia
Primary statute: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 — 6-Year Statute of Limitations (Written Contracts)
Full Georgia guide →Hawaii
Primary statute: Hawaii Statute of Limitations — HRS § 657-1
Full Hawaii guide →Idaho
Primary statute: Idaho Code § 5-216 — 5-year statute of limitations on written contracts
Idaho provides some protections for individuals dealing with medical debt:
- Idaho expanded Medicaid in 2020 under the ACA, reducing medical debt exposure for eligible low-income residents
- The statute of limitations for medical debt is 5 years for written contracts (Idaho Code § 5-216)
- Idaho allows wage garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30x the federal minimum wage for medical debt judgments
- Idaho's generous homestead exemption of $175,000 protects home equity from medical debt collection
- Idaho hospitals receiving Hill-Burton funds must provide a reasonable volume of free or reduced-cost care
- Idaho does not have a state law specifically requiring hospital financial assistance policies beyond federal requirements
Illinois
Primary statute: 210 ILCS 89 — Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act / Fair Patient Billing Act
Full Illinois guide →Indiana
Primary statute: Indiana Code § 34-11-2-9 — 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (written contracts)
Indiana provides limited protections for individuals dealing with medical debt:
- The statute of limitations for medical debt in Indiana is 6 years for written contracts (IC § 34-11-2-9)
- Indiana allows wage garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings for medical debt judgments
- Indiana's homestead exemption of $22,750 per person protects some home equity from medical debt collection
- Indiana does not have specific medical debt protections beyond general debtor protections
- Nonprofit hospitals in Indiana are required to have charity care policies and financial assistance programs
- Indiana expanded Medicaid under the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP 2.0), reducing medical debt exposure for eligible residents
Iowa
Primary statute: Iowa Code § 537.7101 — Iowa Debt Collection Practices Act
Iowa medical debt protections come from a combination of federal law and state consumer protections:
- Federal law (effective 2023–2025) removed most medical debt from credit reports — the CFPB has issued rules limiting medical debt reporting
- Iowa hospitals must provide financial assistance programs for low-income patients — nonprofit hospitals are required to have written charity care policies
- Iowa's statute of limitations for medical debt is 5 years for written contracts
- Medical debt collectors must follow the federal FDCPA and Iowa's Debt Collection Practices Act (Iowa Code § 537.7101)
- You can dispute debts in writing within 30 days of first contact to require verification
- Iowa does not have a specific cap on medical debt interest rates beyond standard usury limits
- The Iowa Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division handles medical billing fraud and deceptive practices
Kansas
Primary statute: K.S.A. § 60-511 — 5-Year Statute of Limitations on Contracts
Full Kansas guide →Kentucky
Primary statute: KRS § 413.090 — Statute of Limitations for Written Contracts
Full Kentucky guide →Louisiana
Primary statute: Louisiana Civil Code Art. 3494 — Three-Year Prescriptive Period on Medical Debt
Louisiana has some state-level medical debt protections, including Medicaid expansion:
- Prescriptive period: Medical debt has a 3-year prescriptive period (statute of limitations) for collection lawsuits in Louisiana (La. Civ. Code Art. 3494)
- Wage garnishment: Louisiana exempts 75% of disposable earnings from garnishment — creditors can only garnish up to 25%
- Medicaid expansion: Louisiana expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2016, providing coverage to low-income adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level
- Hospital price transparency: Louisiana hospitals must comply with federal price transparency rules
- The federal No Surprises Act applies to protect against surprise medical bills
- Homestead protection: The constitutional homestead exemption ($35,000) protects the home from medical debt judgments
Maine
Primary statute: 5 M.R.S.A. § 205-A — Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act
Full Maine guide →Maryland
Primary statute: Maryland Hospital Financial Assistance, MD Code, Health-General § 19-214.1
Full Maryland guide →Massachusetts
Primary statute: MGL c. 118E — MassHealth (Medicaid) program
Massachusetts has strong medical debt protections, largely due to its near-universal healthcare system:
- MassHealth (Medicaid) is one of the most expansive programs in the US, covering residents up to 138% of the federal poverty level with broad eligibility categories
- The Health Safety Net program covers uninsured and underinsured MA residents for medically necessary services at acute care hospitals and community health centers
- The MA Health Connector marketplace provides subsidized insurance plans, with many residents qualifying for ConnectorCare plans with very low premiums and copays
- Statute of limitations on medical debt in MA is 6 years (contract actions under MGL c. 260, § 2)
- MA Community Benefits requirements obligate nonprofit hospitals to provide financial assistance and charity care
- Hospitals must screen patients for MassHealth and Health Safety Net eligibility before pursuing collections
- Medical debt collection is subject to the MA AG's Debt Collection Regulations (940 CMR 7.00) with potential treble damages under 93A
Michigan
Primary statute: MCL § 400.105 — Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid expansion)
Michigan provides some protections for medical debtors, bolstered by expanded Medicaid coverage:
- Michigan expanded Medicaid under the Healthy Michigan Plan (2014), covering adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level — reducing medical debt for many residents
- Michigan does not have comprehensive medical debt-specific protections beyond general debt collection laws
- The statute of limitations on medical debt in Michigan is 6 years from the date of last payment or service
- Michigan wage garnishment is limited to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less
- Michigan hospitals and health systems must provide financial assistance information to patients (federal 501(r) requirements apply to nonprofit hospitals)
- Medical debt is subject to the Michigan Collection Practices Act and the federal FDCPA
Minnesota
Primary statute: Minn. Stat. § 541.05 — Statute of Limitations on Contracts
Minnesota provides strong protections for consumers with medical debt:
- Hospital charity care: Minnesota hospitals are required to provide charity care and financial assistance programs for uninsured and underinsured patients
- MinnesotaCare: Minnesota's state public health insurance program covers low-income adults who do not qualify for Medical Assistance (Medicaid), providing an additional safety net
- Statute of limitations: Medical debt is subject to Minnesota's 6-year statute of limitations on contract claims (Minn. Stat. § 541.05)
- Wage garnishment protections: Minnesota protects 75% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 40 times the federal minimum wage (whichever is greater) from garnishment
- Medical debt and credit reporting: Under federal law (effective 2023), paid medical debt is removed from credit reports, and medical debt under $500 is excluded
- Surprise billing: Minnesota restricts balance billing for emergency services at in-network facilities
Mississippi
Primary statute: Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-29 — 3-year statute of limitations on contracts (medical debt)
Full Mississippi guide →Missouri
Primary statute: Missouri Statute of Limitations — Written Contracts, RSMo § 516.110
Missouri medical debt protections come from federal law and state consumer protection statutes:
- Federal law (effective 2023–2025) removed most medical debt from credit reports — the CFPB has issued rules limiting medical debt reporting
- Missouri nonprofit hospitals must have financial assistance policies — ask for a financial assistance or charity care application
- Missouri's statute of limitations for medical debt is 10 years for written contracts (RSMo § 516.110) — one of the longest in the country
- Medical debt collectors must follow the federal FDCPA and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act
- You can dispute debts in writing within 30 days of first contact to require debt verification
- Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act (RSMo § 407.010) allows action against deceptive billing practices
Montana
Primary statute: Mont. Code Ann. § 70-32-104 — homestead exemption (protects home equity from medical debt judgments)
Full Montana guide →Nebraska
Primary statute: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205 — 5-Year Statute of Limitations
Full Nebraska guide →Nevada
Primary statute: NRS 11.190 — Statute of Limitations (Written Contracts)
Full Nevada guide →New Hampshire
Primary statute: RSA 508:4 — NH 3-year statute of limitations
Full New Hampshire guide →New Jersey
Primary statute: NJ statute of limitations on debt, N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1
Full New Jersey guide →New Mexico
Primary statute: NMSA § 37-1-3 — 6-year statute of limitations on written contracts
Full New Mexico guide →New York
Primary statute: NY Public Health Law § 2807-k — nonprofit hospital financial assistance requirements
Full New York guide →North Carolina
Primary statute: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 — Statute of limitations (3 years for medical debt)
Full North Carolina guide →North Dakota
Primary statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16 — Statute of Limitations (6-Year)
Full North Dakota guide →Ohio
Primary statute: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 — 6-year statute of limitations on written contracts (medical debt)
Ohio has limited state-specific protections for medical debt, but several provisions are relevant:
- Medicaid expansion: Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014, providing health coverage to adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level and reducing medical debt exposure
- Hospital Care Assurance Program: Ohio hospitals participate in programs that provide financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured patients
- Statute of limitations: Medical debt is treated as a written contract with a 6-year statute of limitations in Ohio
- Wage garnishment: Creditors can garnish up to 25% of disposable earnings for unpaid medical debt (following federal limits)
- Federal protections — including the No Surprises Act and credit reporting changes — also apply in Ohio
Oklahoma
Primary statute: Oklahoma Statute of Limitations — Medical Debt, Okla. Stat. tit. 12 § 95
Oklahoma provides limited state-level protections for medical debt:
- Oklahoma expanded Medicaid under the ACA through SQ 802 (voter-approved in 2020), which took effect in 2021, reducing medical debt exposure for eligible low-income residents
- The statute of limitations for medical debt (written contracts) is 5 years in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma allows wage garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30x the federal minimum wage, whichever is less
- Oklahoma's generous homestead exemption (unlimited value, up to 1 acre urban / 160 acres rural) protects the home from medical debt judgments
- The federal No Surprises Act protects against surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities
- Nonprofit hospitals must offer charity care programs under federal and state guidelines
Oregon
Primary statute: Oregon statute of limitations on contract claims — ORS § 12.080
Oregon has enacted strong protections for consumers with medical debt:
- Hospital financial assistance: Oregon hospitals are required to have financial assistance policies and screen patients for eligibility before pursuing collections. Hospitals must provide discounted or free care to patients below certain income thresholds.
- Oregon Health Plan (OHP): Oregon's expanded Medicaid program covers low-income residents, providing an additional safety net for medical costs
- Statute of limitations: Medical debt is subject to Oregon's 6-year statute of limitations on contract claims (ORS § 12.080)
- Wage garnishment protections: Oregon protects the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding $254/week from garnishment
- Medical debt and credit reporting: Under federal law (effective 2023), paid medical debt is removed from credit reports, and medical debt under $500 is excluded
- Surprise billing: Oregon prohibits balance billing for emergency services and certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities (ORS § 743B.287)
Pennsylvania
Primary statute: Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act, 73 P.S. § 2270.4
Full Pennsylvania guide →Rhode Island
Primary statute: R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-1 et seq. — Deceptive Trade Practices Act (medical debt)
Rhode Island provides protections for patients facing medical debt:
- Hospital financial assistance: Rhode Island nonprofit hospitals are required to offer charity care and financial assistance programs. The Rhode Island Department of Health oversees hospital compliance with community benefit obligations.
- Debt collection restrictions: Under the federal FDCPA and Rhode Island's Deceptive Trade Practices Act, medical debt collectors must follow proper procedures. Abusive collection practices are prohibited.
- Credit reporting: Under updated federal rules, medical debts under $500 and paid medical debts are no longer reported on credit reports. Medical debt in collections cannot appear until at least 1 year after initial billing.
- Homestead protection: Rhode Island's very generous $500,000 homestead exemption protects substantial home equity from medical debt judgments — one of the highest protections in the country.
- Statute of limitations: The statute of limitations on medical debt in Rhode Island is 10 years — one of the longest in the nation. However, making a payment can restart this clock.
South Carolina
Primary statute: S.C. Code § 15-3-530 — Statute of Limitations
South Carolina has limited state-level medical debt protections:
- Statute of limitations: Medical debt has a 3-year statute of limitations for collection lawsuits in SC
- Wage garnishment: SC allows wage garnishment — the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30x federal minimum wage
- No Medicaid expansion: SC has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, leaving a coverage gap for low-income adults
- Hospital price transparency: SC hospitals must comply with federal price transparency rules
- The federal No Surprises Act applies to protect against surprise medical bills
- SC does not have a state-specific medical debt forgiveness program
South Dakota
Primary statute: SDCL § 43-45-3 — Homestead Exemption (Unlimited Value)
Full South Dakota guide →Tennessee
Primary statute: TCA § 29-22-101 — Hospital Lien Law
Tennessee provides some protections for residents dealing with medical debt:
- No wage garnishment for most debts: Tennessee is one of the few states that does not allow wage garnishment for most consumer debts, including medical debt — only taxes, child support, and student loans can be garnished from wages
- Statute of limitations: The statute of limitations on written contracts (including medical debt) in Tennessee is 6 years (TCA § 28-3-109). After this period, creditors cannot sue to collect
- Hospital lien law (TCA § 29-22-101): Hospitals can place liens on personal injury settlements for unpaid medical bills, but there are notice requirements and limitations
- TennCare (Medicaid): Tennessee's Medicaid program covers adults with very limited eligibility (no ACA expansion), leaving many low-income residents at risk of medical debt
- Non-profit hospital obligations: Non-profit hospitals must have financial assistance policies. Tennessee law requires hospitals to provide discounts to uninsured and underinsured patients
Texas
Primary statute: Texas No Wage Garnishment for Consumer Debt, Tex. Const. Art. XVI, § 28
Full Texas guide →Utah
Primary statute: Utah Statute of Limitations — Utah Code § 78B-2-309
Utah provides some protections for individuals dealing with medical debt:
- Utah expanded Medicaid in 2020 following voter approval of Proposition 3, reducing medical debt exposure for eligible residents
- The statute of limitations for medical debt is 6 years for written contracts (Utah Code § 78B-2-309)
- Utah allows wage garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings for medical debt judgments
- Utah's homestead exemption of $43,800 per person protects home equity from medical debt collection
- Utah does not have specific medical debt protections beyond general debtor protections
- Hospital financial assistance programs may be available — nonprofit hospitals are required to have charity care policies
Vermont
Primary statute: 12 V.S.A. § 511 — Vermont 6-year statute of limitations
Full Vermont guide →Virginia
Primary statute: Virginia Statute of Limitations — Written Contracts, Va. Code § 8.01-246
Full Virginia guide →Washington
Primary statute: Washington Charity Care Act, RCW 70.170
Washington has some of the strongest medical debt protections in the nation:
- Washington's Charity Care law (RCW 70.170) requires hospitals to provide free care to patients with incomes under 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and discounted care for patients up to 400% FPL
- Washington restricts medical debt collection practices — hospitals must screen patients for charity care eligibility before pursuing collection
- Balance billing protections (HB 1065, 2019): patients are protected from surprise out-of-network bills for emergency services and certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities
- Statute of limitations for medical debt in Washington is 6 years
- Washington limits interest rates on medical debt judgments
- Hospitals must provide clear written notice of financial assistance programs before billing
West Virginia
Primary statute: W. Va. Code § 55-2-6 — Statute of limitations (written contracts, 10 years)
Full West Virginia guide →Wisconsin
Primary statute: Wis. Stat. § 893.43 — Six-Year Statute of Limitations
Wisconsin medical debt protections come from federal law and strong state consumer protections:
- Federal law (effective 2023–2025) removed most medical debt from credit reports — the CFPB has issued rules limiting medical debt reporting
- Wisconsin nonprofit hospitals must have financial assistance (charity care) policies — ask the billing department for an application
- Wisconsin's statute of limitations for medical debt is 6 years for written contracts (Wis. Stat. § 893.43)
- Medical debt collectors must follow the federal FDCPA and the Wisconsin Consumer Act (Wis. Stat. § 427.104)
- The Wisconsin Consumer Act provides additional protections beyond the FDCPA — including protection from debt collectors contacting the debtor's employer
- Wisconsin's AG and DATCP can take action against deceptive medical billing practices
Wyoming
Primary statute: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 — statute of limitations (10-year written / 8-year oral contracts)
Full Wyoming guide →