WA · medical-debt statute of limitations
Washington
Written contract
6 yr
Open account / oral
6 yr
Most common for medical
6 yr
Open-account period
How medical debt is treated in Washington
An account receivable (the usual form of a medical bill) is treated as a 6-year written obligation in Washington (RCW 4.16.040). A purely oral contract is 3 years (RCW 4.16.080).
Last checked June 16, 2026.
Can the clock restart?
A payment (RCW 4.16.270) or a signed writing (RCW 4.16.280) can restart the clock during the live period — but not after the debt has expired.
Medical-debt credit reporting in Washington
Washington ESSB 5480 (effective July 27, 2025) restricts medical-debt credit reporting. Enforceability is subject to the federal-preemption dispute.
Estimate the window for your Washington 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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Treat all content as general information, not legal advice.
Washington 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.