DE · medical-debt statute of limitations
Delaware
Written contract
3 yr
Open account / oral
3 yr
Most common for medical
3 yr
Open-account period
How medical debt is treated in Delaware
Delaware's general 3-year limit (10 Del. C. § 8106) is notably short and applies to medical bills.
Last checked June 16, 2026.
Can the clock restart?
A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock and may shift the debt onto the 6-year track (§ 8109).
Medical-debt credit reporting in Delaware
Delaware (SS 1 for SB 156, effective Oct 27, 2025) restricts medical-debt credit reporting. Enforceability is subject to the federal-preemption dispute.
Estimate the window for your Delaware debt
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Treat all content as general information, not legal advice.
Delaware 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.