In 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed prohibiting any medical debt from being included on credit reports and impacting credit scores. Then, in July 2025, a federal court ruling overturned the regulation. This means that unpaid medical bills over $500 can still appear on credit reports and impact credit scores. However, there are some exceptions:
• Medical debt that is paid off within one year of being reported will not appear on credit reports.
• Medical debt under $500 will also not be reported.
• Certain types of medical debt, such as debt related to disputes or errors, may also be excluded from credit reports