How long can a medical debt be collected in Iowa?

Iowa applies its contract statute of limitations to medical debt. The period is 10 years for written contracts and 5 years for open accounts or oral contracts. For most unsigned medical bills the open-account period (about 5 years) is the one most likely to apply. Unsigned medical bills are open accounts (5 years, Iowa Code § 614.1(4)); a signed agreement invokes the 10-year written-contract period (§ 614.1(5)). Always confirm against the statute linked on this page.

What if the limitations period has passed?

If the debt is past Iowa'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.

IA · medical-debt statute of limitations

Iowa

Last checked June 16, 2026

Written contract

10 yr

Open account / oral

5 yr

Most common for medical

5 yr

Open-account period

How medical debt is treated in Iowa

Unsigned medical bills are open accounts (5 years, Iowa Code § 614.1(4)); a signed agreement invokes the 10-year written-contract period (§ 614.1(5)).

Iowa Code § 614.1(5) (written, 10 yr)Iowa Code § 614.1(4) (open, 5 yr)

Last checked June 16, 2026.

Can the clock restart?

A signed writing revives a debt (Iowa Code § 614.11); a payment counts as a new 'last item' that can restart the account clock.

Iowa Code § 614.11

Estimate the window for your Iowa 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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Treat all content as general information, not legal advice.

Iowa 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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