How long can a medical debt be collected in Alabama?

Alabama applies its contract statute of limitations to medical debt. The period is 6 years for written contracts and 3 years for open accounts or oral contracts. For most unsigned medical bills the open-account period (about 3 years) is the one most likely to apply. Unsigned medical bills are open accounts (3 years). A signed payment agreement can shift the bill to the 6-year written-contract period. Always confirm against the statute linked on this page.

What if the limitations period has passed?

If the debt is past Alabama's limitations period it is "time-barred." Under the CFPB's Regulation F a collector may not sue or threaten to sue on a time-barred debt, though it can still ask you to pay voluntarily. You can send a time-barred-debt notice — but be careful not to make a payment or written admission that could restart the clock.

AL · medical-debt statute of limitations

Alabama

Verified June 16, 2026

Written contract

6 yr

Open account / oral

3 yr

Most common for medical

3 yr

Open-account period

How medical debt is treated in Alabama

Unsigned medical bills are open accounts (3 years). A signed payment agreement can shift the bill to the 6-year written-contract period.

Ala. Code § 6-2-37(1)Ala. Code § 6-2-34(4)

Last verified June 16, 2026.

Can the clock restart?

A partial payment or a signed promise to pay can restart the clock in Alabama (Ala. Code § 6-2-16). Avoid both on an old debt until you understand the consequences.

Ala. Code § 6-2-16

Estimate the window for your Alabama debt

Enter the date the clock most likely started — usually the date of last payment or activity.

1 · Your state2 · Date the clock most likely startedUsually the date of the most recent payment or activity — not always the date of service.

SOL type:

Select your state and a date to see an estimate of whether the debt is within your state's limitations window.

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Alabama medical-debt questions

Note on credit reporting: The CFPB finalized a rule in January 2025 to remove most medical bills from consumer credit reports, but it was VACATED on July 11, 2025 by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Cornerstone Credit Union League v. CFPB) and is NOT in effect as of 2026. The court also held that the federal FCRA preempts similar state laws. Do not assume medical bills are barred from credit reports under federal law — confirm the current status on consumerfinance.gov. CFPB.

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