I have a medical bill
Do medical bills affect my credit score?
Photo: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels
Less than they used to. Paid medical debt is not reported, unpaid medical debt waits a year, and debts under $500 are not reported. Larger unpaid bills sent to collections can still show up.
What to do
- Check your credit reports from the three credit bureaus for any medical collection accounts; you can get them for free, as often as once a week.
- Dispute in writing with the bureau any medical debt on your report that is paid, under $500, or less than a year old.
- Ask the provider or collector for the itemized bill and check it against your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), the insurer's statement of what it paid and what you owe, before you pay.
- Ask the hospital about financial assistance, which can reduce or remove the debt before it is reported.
- Check your state's rules; some states have their own laws on medical debt and credit reports.
What to say
This medical debt is [paid / under $500 / less than a year old] and should not be on my report under the credit bureaus' medical debt policy. I'm asking you to remove it.
Send it in writing to the credit bureau showing the debt, with a copy of the paid receipt or the bill.
What to watch out for
This is a sensitive stepSmall details here can change the outcome, and some mistakes are hard to undo. We highly recommend a free 15-minute call with us before you decide.
Ignoring a bill because you have heard medical debt no longer counts. Unpaid debt of $500 or more can still be reported after a year, and a collector can still contact you.
Better done together
We’re here to help
Credit rules for medical debt have changed, and not every report follows them. We help you check your report, understand what should and shouldn't be there, and know who to contact to fix it.
Every situation is different, and these are sensitive moments, so we look at yours with care. We often see what others miss, and we never take commissions from insurance companies: the only thing we are working for is what is right for you.
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The rule behind it
Since 2023 the three credit bureaus do not report paid medical debt, wait one year before reporting unpaid medical debt, and do not report medical debt under $500. A federal rule to remove all medical debt from credit reports was vacated by a federal court in July 2025, so it is not in effect. Some states have their own laws that go further; check your state.
Sources
- CFPB — Medical debt that's paid or under $500 should no longer be on your credit report
- CFPB — Medical information rule (Regulation V), vacated July 11, 2025
- FTC — Free credit reports
- Your credit reports and the collector's letter
Amanda Alcodia
Education, not medical, legal or insurance advice.
Useful next steps
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