Do unpaid medical bills go on your credit?

Yes, unpaid medical bills can appear on your credit reports, but the rules changed in 2023. Paid medical collections are no longer reported, and unpaid medical collections under $500 are excluded entirely. Only unpaid medical debts over $500 that have been sent to a collection agency will show up, and they won’t appear until at least one year after the first missed payment. This gives you a window to address them before they impact your credit.

If you’re asking this question, you likely have a medical bill you can’t pay in full, possibly from an emergency visit, surgery, or ongoing treatment. The hardship is real: medical debt often comes unexpectedly, and insurance may leave you with a large balance. The risk level depends on the amount. A $600 bill in collections can drop your credit score by 100 points or more, making it harder to rent an apartment, get a loan, or even secure a job. Smaller bills under $500 won’t affect your credit at all, so you can prioritize other debts.

A practical path forward starts with verifying the bill’s accuracy. Request an itemized statement from the provider and confirm your insurance was applied correctly. If the debt is accurate and you can’t pay in full, contact the provider directly first. Many hospitals offer charity care or income-based discounts. If the debt is already with a collection agency, you can negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement, where you pay a reduced amount in exchange for removal from your credit report. Get any agreement in writing before paying.

If the debt is large and you’re facing multiple medical bills, a debt relief program might be worth exploring. Availability depends on your state, the type of debt, your financial hardship, the account’s current status, and the specific criteria of the relief partner. You’ll need details like the total amount owed, the names of the collection agencies, and your monthly income and expenses.

Before you call anyone, use the DebtSense AI assessment on our homepage. It’s a private, no-obligation tool that reviews your situation and gives you a preliminary look at your options. No sales pitch, just a clear starting point based on your numbers.