Medical Debt Statute of Limitations in Michigan
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: MCL 600.5807 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date the cause of action accrues — typically date of last service or when payment was first due, under MCL 600.5807.
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Under MCL 600.5807, you have 6 years from Date the cause of action accrues — typically date of last service or when payment was first due to sue over unpaid medical bills in Michigan. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Michigan-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Michigan Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Debt | 6 years | MCL 600.5807 |
| Car Accident | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | MCL § 600.5838a (medical-malpractice accrual/limitations); MCL § 600.5805(8) (2-year period) |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2922; § 600.5805(2) |
| Personal Injury | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) |
| Dog Bite | 3 yrs | MCL § 287.351 |
| Slip and Fall | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | MCL § 600.5805(11) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) |
When the Clock Starts
In Michigan, the limitations period for medical debt collection generally begins on Date the cause of action accrues — typically date of last service or when payment was first due. Michigan does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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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.
Medical debt collected as a breach of contract action is subject to the 6-year SOL under MCL 600.5807 (general contract catch-all). MCL 600.5807 provides 6 years for actions to recover damages or money due for breach of contract not covered by other specific subsections. Minor tolling under MCL 600.5851 suspends the period while the plaintiff is under disability (including minority).
Source: MCL 600.5807, official Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 6 years | MCL 600.5807 |
| Ohio | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| Indiana | 6 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9 |
| Wisconsin | 6 yrs | Wis. Stat. § 893.43 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid medical bills in Michigan?
You have 6 years from Date the cause of action accrues — typically date of last service or when payment was first due, under MCL 600.5807.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Michigan?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Michigan 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.
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Sources
- Official MCL 600.5807 — Period of Limitations for Contracts (Michigan Legislature)
- Corroborating Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5807 — Justia US Law
- Corroborating MCL § 600.5807 — Period of Limitations (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 Michigan attorney.