Medical Debt Statute of Limitations in Tennessee
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date of breach — typically first missed payment or date debt becomes due, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109.
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If you're researching medical debt collection in Tennessee, the single most important number is 6 years. That's how long Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 gives you to sue over unpaid medical bills, counted from Date of breach — typically first missed payment or date debt becomes due. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Tennessee Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Debt | 6 years | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
| Car Accident | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3) |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-26-116 |
| Wrongful Death | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 |
| Personal Injury | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) |
| Dog Bite | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104 |
| Slip and Fall | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
When the Clock Starts
In Tennessee, the limitations period for medical debt collection generally begins on Date of breach — typically first missed payment or date debt becomes due. Tennessee 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.
T.C.A. § 28-3-109 covers 'contracts not otherwise expressly provided for' and carries a 6-year limitation. Tennessee has no separate medical-debt SOL statute; unpaid hospital and physician bills are treated as general contract claims under this provision. Note: Tennessee Code Annotated is published under state contract by LexisNexis; the official free-access URL is at wapp.capitol.tn.gov (Tennessee General Assembly). Tolling for minority: T.C.A. § 28-1-106.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109, official Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 6 years | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
| Kentucky | 10 yrs | KRS § 413.160 |
| Virginia | 3 yrs | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-246(B) |
| North Carolina | 3 yrs | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(1) |
| Georgia | 6 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 |
| Alabama | 6 yrs | Ala. Code § 6-2-34 |
| Mississippi | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-29 |
| Arkansas | 5 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111 |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | RSMo § 516.120 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid medical bills in Tennessee?
You have 6 years from Date of breach — typically first missed payment or date debt becomes due, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Tennessee?
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?
Tennessee 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 Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 – Contracts Not Otherwise Covered (Tennessee General Assembly)
- Corroborating Tennessee Code § 28-3-109 (2024) – Justia
- Corroborating Tennessee Code § 28-3-109 – 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 Tennessee attorney.