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California medical
billing rights
Your protections under federal and California law when dealing with medical bills and debt collectors.
4 yrs
Statute of Limitations
Yes
Balance Billing Law
Yes
State Charity Care Law
Statute of Limitations: 4 Years
In California, creditors have 4 years to file a lawsuit to collect medical debt. The clock typically starts from the date of your last payment or the original date of service, whichever is later.
Warning: Making even a small payment may restart the statute of limitations in some states. Do not pay or acknowledge the debt without checking first.
Balance Billing Protections
California has state-level balance billing protections.
Comprehensive. AB 72 prohibits balance billing for emergency and certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities.
Check if your bill is protected →Charity Care & Financial Assistance
California has state-level charity care requirements.
Hospitals must offer charity care to patients under 400% FPL. No collection actions until eligibility is determined. AB 774.
Check your eligibility →Debt Collection Protections
Medical debt cannot appear on credit reports for 12 months after date of service. Hospitals must wait 150 days before sending to collections.
Under federal law:
- ✓ You can demand debt validation within 30 days of first contact
- ✓ Collectors must stop collection activity until they validate the debt
- ✓ Medical debt under $500 cannot appear on your credit report
- ✓ Medical debt cannot appear on credit reports for at least 12 months
Federal rights that apply in California
- ✓ No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for emergency services and at in-network facilities.
- ✓ Medical debt under $500 cannot appear on credit reports (effective 2023).
- ✓ Medical debt cannot appear on credit reports until at least 12 months after date of service.
- ✓ Paid medical debt is removed from credit reports.
- ✓ FDCPA protects against abusive debt collection practices. You can demand debt validation within 30 days.
- ✓ IRS 501(r) requires nonprofit hospitals to offer financial assistance policies.
- ✓ Hospitals must provide a Good Faith Estimate to uninsured/self-pay patients before scheduled services.
Know your rights. Now use them.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the statute of limitations on medical debt in California?
The statute of limitations on medical debt in California is 4 years. After this period expires, creditors generally cannot file a lawsuit to collect the debt. However, collectors may still contact you — they just cannot threaten legal action. Making a partial payment may restart the clock in some cases.
Does California have balance billing protections?
Comprehensive. AB 72 prohibits balance billing for emergency and certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities.
Can I get charity care at hospitals in California?
Hospitals must offer charity care to patients under 400% FPL. No collection actions until eligibility is determined. AB 774.
This is an informational resource, not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Consult an attorney for complex situations. Last updated March 2026.