ME · medical-debt statute of limitations
Maine
Written contract
6 yr
Open account / oral
6 yr
Most common for medical
6 yr
Open-account period
How medical debt is treated in Maine
Maine applies a 6-year limit to contract actions, including medical bills (14 M.R.S. § 752). The 20-year period applies only to sealed/witnessed instruments.
Last verified June 16, 2026.
Can the clock restart?
Maine bars reviving an expired consumer debt: a debt collector may not sue or accept a payment to revive a debt past the limitations period (32 M.R.S. § 11013(8)). This is among the strongest consumer protections.
Medical-debt credit reporting in Maine
Maine LD 558 (effective Sept 24, 2025) is a full ban on medical-debt credit reporting. Enforceability is subject to the federal-preemption dispute.
Estimate the window for your Maine debt
Enter the date the clock most likely started — usually the date of last payment or activity.
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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Maine 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.