Medical Debt Statute of Limitations in Arizona
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: A.R.S. § 12-548 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date cause of action accrues; typically date of last medical service or when the debt first became due and was not paid, under A.R.S. § 12-548.
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Under A.R.S. § 12-548, you have 6 years from Date cause of action accrues; typically date of last medical service or when the debt first became due and was not paid to sue over unpaid medical bills in Arizona. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Arizona-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Arizona Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Debt | 6 years | A.R.S. § 12-548 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542(1) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542; § 12-611; § 12-612 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | A.R.S. § 12-541(1) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 |
When the Clock Starts
In Arizona, the limitations period for medical debt collection generally begins on Date cause of action accrues; typically date of last medical service or when the debt first became due and was not paid. Arizona recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Arizona courts apply a discovery rule: the SOL begins when the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the breach. For open accounts under A.R.S. § 12-543, no item is barred as long as any item in the account was incurred within the prior 3 years.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Claims against governmental entities (including government-owned hospitals) require a notice of claim filed within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01. Failure to comply is a complete bar to the action.
Medical debt in Arizona is most commonly treated as a written contract (hospital admission and financial-responsibility agreements are written), subject to the 6-year SOL under § 12-548. If no written contract exists, the 3-year SOL under § 12-543 (oral debt or open account) applies. Creditors typically rely on the 6-year written-contract period. The statute also applies to credit card debt, which is sometimes used to pay medical bills.
Source: A.R.S. § 12-548, official Arizona statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Arizona government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Arizona Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 6 years | A.R.S. § 12-548 |
| California | 4 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 |
| Nevada | 6 yrs | NRS § 11.190(1)(b) |
| Utah | 6 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-309 |
| New Mexico | 6 yrs | N.M.S.A. § 37-1-3 |
| Colorado | 6 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid medical bills in Arizona?
You have 6 years from Date cause of action accrues; typically date of last medical service or when the debt first became due and was not paid, under A.R.S. § 12-548.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Arizona?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to medical debt collection in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona courts apply a discovery rule: the SOL begins when the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the breach. For open accounts under A.R.S. § 12-543, no item is barred as long as any item in the account was incurred within the prior 3 years.
What if the victim was a minor?
Arizona generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Claims against governmental entities (including government-owned hospitals) require a notice of claim filed within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01. Failure to comply is a complete bar to the action.
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Sources
- Official A.R.S. § 12-548 Contract in Writing for Debt Six Year Limitation - Arizona Legislature
- Corroborating Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-548 - Justia US Law
- Corroborating A.R.S. § 12-548 - FindLaw
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Arizona attorney.