Is there a statute of limitations for medical billing?

Every state has a statute of limitations for medical bills, which are considered to be written contracts, according to About.com. Statute of limitations vary by state and can last for as few as 3 years or up to 10 to 15 years in some states.

Once the statute of limitations has passed, the medical bill is considered a time-barred debt, and the creditor cannot get a judgment forcing the debtor to pay as long as the debtor can prove the debt is too old, according to About.com. Proof might be a check showing the last time a payment was made or communication records about the debt.