RI · medical-debt statute of limitations
Rhode Island
Written contract
10 yr
Open account / oral
10 yr
Most common for medical
10 yr
Open-account period
How medical debt is treated in Rhode Island
Rhode Island applies a notably long 10-year limit to contract actions, including medical bills (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13).
Last checked June 16, 2026.
Can the clock restart?
Under Rhode Island common law a payment plus a signed writing can restart the clock; see also the Expired Debt Act (§ 9-1-50). This rests partly on case law.
Medical-debt credit reporting in Rhode Island
Rhode Island S 0169 (effective Jan 1, 2026) restricts medical-debt credit reporting. Enforceability is subject to the federal-preemption dispute.
Estimate the window for your Rhode Island debt
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Treat all content as general information, not legal advice.
Rhode Island 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.