State Guides
State All-Payer Claims Databases
Twenty-four states now operate all-payer claims databases that aggregate medical and pharmacy claims to reveal healthcare costs and billing patterns.
September 27, 2026
State Guides
State-by-state patient protections: charity care mandates, medical debt laws, surprise billing rules and where to complain in each state.
State Guides
State Price Transparency Laws for Hospitals
Eight states give you powerful rights: in Oklahoma, hospitals cannot collect on bills for services they refused to price.
September 27, 2026
State Guides
State Debt Collector Licensing Requirements
Most states license debt collectors, but 14 don't—and federal law covers all of them.
September 26, 2026
State Guides
State Medical Debt Statutes of Limitation
State statutes of limitations range from 2 to 10 years, after which medical collectors cannot sue—but the debt remains reportable for 7 years.
September 25, 2026
State Guides
State Bans on Home Liens for Medical Debt
Thirteen states now ban home liens for medical debt, shielding patients from foreclosure—but gaps remain in federal protection and other collection methods.
September 23, 2026
State Guides
State Bans on Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt
Seven states ban wage garnishment for medical debt, but 45 states still allow it—here's what each protection covers.
September 21, 2026
State Guides
State Rules on Hospital Lawsuits Against Patients
Fifteen states ban medical debt from credit reports, and most require hospitals to wait 120–180 days before suing patients for unpaid bills.
September 20, 2026
State Guides
State Requirements to Offer Payment Plans
Your state determines whether you can demand a payment plan or can only request one, and what protections apply if you negotiate.
September 19, 2026
State Guides
State Rules on Screening Patients for Assistance
States now require hospitals to screen patients for financial assistance before collecting, with eligibility and timelines varying significantly by state.
September 17, 2026
State Guides
State Income Thresholds for Hospital Assistance
Most U.S. hospitals set income thresholds for free care using the Federal Poverty Level; 10 states enforce minimums, while individual hospital policies vary widely.
September 16, 2026
State Guides
State Presumptive Eligibility Rules for Charity Care
Presumptive eligibility lets hospitals grant charity care discounts automatically to low-income patients without requiring full applications—and your state may require it.
September 14, 2026
State Guides
State Caps on Hospital Collection Practices
Virginia and six other states now cap interest on medical bills and delay collection lawsuits, protecting patients from compounding debt.
September 13, 2026