US Medical Term · administration
Medical Debt
Deuda Médica
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Medical Debt |
| Spanish (Español) | Deuda Médica |
| Chinese (中文) | 医疗债务 |
| Korean (한국어) | 의료 부채 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nợ y tế |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Medical Debt |
| Portuguese (Português) | Dívida Médica |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หนี้ค่ารักษาพยาบาล |
| Japanese (日本語) | 医療費負債 |
What it means
Medical debt is unpaid healthcare bills that a patient owes to a hospital, clinic, or provider. It is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the US. Key patient rights regarding medical debt include: the right to an itemized bill, the right to apply for financial assistance before any debt goes to collections, and federal protections limiting how medical debt affects credit scores (credit bureaus began removing medical debt under $500 from reports in 2023). Negotiating with billing departments directly often results in reduced balances.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have medical debt from last year and I want to set up a payment plan with the hospital.
Tengo deuda médica del año pasado y quiero establecer un plan de pago con el hospital.
Can the hospital send my account to collections while I am applying for financial assistance?
¿Puede el hospital enviar mi cuenta a cobranzas mientras solicito asistencia financiera?
My medical debt is affecting my credit score — what are my rights under the No Surprises Act?
Mi deuda médica está afectando mi puntaje de crédito — ¿cuáles son mis derechos bajo la Ley de No Sorpresas?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Related guide
→ US Guide: medical debt and your rightsSources
Last reviewed: September 2026