What Happens If You Don't Pay a Medical Bill?
HSChange Editorial Team
Health Policy Research Team, Consumer Health Guidance
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, MPH, Board-Certified Internal Medicine
Last updated: April 4, 2026
You got a medical bill you can't pay. Maybe you can't pay it right now, or maybe you think the charges are wrong. Either way, ignoring it has consequences, but they don't happen overnight, and you have more options than you might think.
The Timeline
After you receive care, insurance processes the claim (30 to 60 days). You get a bill with a due date, usually 30 days out. If you don't pay, the provider sends reminders, then a final warning. After 90 to 180 days of non-payment, most providers send the account to a collections agency.
When It Hits Your Credit
Medical debt doesn't appear on your credit report until 365 days after the delinquency date. That gives you a full year to resolve it. Paid medical collections are removed from credit reports. Unpaid medical debt under $500 is excluded entirely. Unpaid debts over $500 stay on your report for 7 years from the original delinquency date.
Your Rights with Collectors
If a debt collector contacts you, you have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing. The collector must then stop most collection activity until they verify and validate the debt. You can also request that they only contact you in writing. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act limits when and how collectors can reach you.
Financial Assistance at Nonprofit Hospitals
If the bill is from a nonprofit hospital (most large hospitals are), federal law requires them to have a financial assistance policy under IRS Section 501(r). They must give you at least 240 days to apply for assistance before sending the bill to collections. Income eligibility for free or reduced care varies by hospital, ranging from 41% to 600% of the federal poverty guideline. Ask the billing department for a financial assistance application.
What to Do Right Now
Don't ignore the bill. Call the billing department and ask about payment plans, which most providers offer at 0% interest. Ask about financial assistance. Check the bill for errors (75% of patients who contact providers about billing errors get them corrected). If the bill is already in collections, dispute it in writing within 30 days and request verification.