Wyoming gives collectors an eight-year window to sue for medical debt, which is the third-longest period in the country, allowing them significant time to pursue old accounts. Despite the long collection window, Wyoming law provides broad property and wage exemptions that make it difficult for collectors to actually seize your assets, even if they win … Read more
West Virginia ties for the longest medical debt collection window in the country, giving collectors a full 10 years to file a lawsuit. Because the lawsuit window is longer than the standard credit reporting limit, residents face a dangerous three-year gap where invisible debt can suddenly turn into a court summons. Collectors in the state … Read more
Washington State provides a powerful tool through the Consumer Protection Act, allowing patients to sue collection agencies for deceptive practices to recover actual damages, treble damages, and attorney fees. The statute of limitations for pursuing medical bills through the court system in Washington is six years, though collectors frequently attempt to reset this clock. New … Read more
The Virginia Medical Debt Protection Act goes into effect on July 1, 2026, fundamentally changing how collectors can pursue patient balances. Once active, the law caps interest rates on medical debt at 3% annually, down from the much higher rates currently allowed on judgments. “Qualified patients” will be completely protected from wage garnishment for medical … Read more
Texas provides some of the strongest asset protections in the country for medical debtors. Your primary residence is protected by an unlimited homestead exemption, meaning a hospital cannot take your home. Medical debt collectors cannot garnish your wages in Texas. While wages and homes are safe, collectors can still attempt to freeze funds in your … Read more
Rhode Island has one of the longest legal windows in the country for medical debt collection, giving agencies a full decade to file a lawsuit against you. A dangerous gap exists for residents here: your medical debt will disappear from your credit report after seven years under federal law, but collectors can still legally sue … Read more
Pennsylvania enforces an absolute ban on wage garnishment for medical debt, meaning collectors cannot touch your paycheck even if they win a court judgment against you. While your wages are protected at the employer level, funds deposited into your bank account can still be levied if a collector successfully sues you within the state’s 4-year … Read more
Oregon hospitals are legally required to screen patients for financial assistance and charity care eligibility before sending an account to collections. If a hospital transferred your balance to a third-party agency without completing this mandated screening, you have strong grounds to dispute the collection. State legislation provides broad protection against medical debt appearing on consumer … Read more
Ohio is currently considering HB 257, the Medical Debt Fairness Act, which proposes banning wage garnishment and capping interest at 3 percent for medical debt. Under current Ohio law, if a collector obtains a court judgment, they can still garnish up to 25 percent of your disposable wages. The legal window for a collector to … Read more
North Carolina is rolling out a massive $6.5 billion medical debt forgiveness program aimed at relieving balances for low and middle-income residents. Wage garnishment for medical debt is completely banned in the state, meaning collectors cannot legally take money from your paycheck even if they win a lawsuit. Hospitals participating in the state relief initiative … Read more
New York provides the most comprehensive medical debt shield in the country, explicitly banning wage garnishment, property liens, and credit reporting for medical bills. While a collector can still sue you within the state’s 6-year legal window, winning a judgment does not grant them the right to touch your paycheck or your primary residence. Even … Read more
New Jersey hospitals are required to screen patients for charity care eligibility before sending an account to a third-party collection agency. If your hospital skipped the financial screening process, the collection effort itself may be legally disputable. Recent state legislation prohibits medical debt from being reported to consumer credit bureaus, removing a major leverage point … Read more
Nevada law prohibits collection agencies from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus, removing one of the biggest threats collectors use against patients. State law strictly limits the ability of medical creditors to place property liens on your primary residence, protecting your home from medical judgments. While your credit and home have strong protections, collectors in … Read more
Minnesota recently passed the Debt Fairness Act, introducing some of the strongest consumer protections in the Midwest during 2024 and 2025. Medical debt can no longer be reported to credit bureaus in Minnesota, and wage garnishment to pay for medical debt is now banned. Hospitals are required to screen patients for charity care eligibility before … Read more
Active 2026 legislation is currently moving through the Michigan legislature that could significantly restrict how medical debt judgments are enforced. Until that legislation passes, current Michigan law does not ban wage garnishment; collectors with a court judgment can legally take up to 25% of your disposable earnings. The statute of limitations for a collector to … Read more
Chapter 93A makes Massachusetts one of the most legally risky states for debt collectors, allowing patients to pursue double or triple damages for willful collection violations. State wage garnishment rules protect a significantly higher portion of your paycheck than federal laws, shielding up to 85% of your gross wages or 50 times the state minimum … Read more