The Virginia Medical Debt Protection Act is a new law effective July 1, 2026 that will likely affect medical practices of all sizes in Virginia. While there was considerable push back from lobbyists and attorneys, many large medical providers agreed with the Act, and it passed in 2025.
The Act has not gone into effect yet, but medical offices need to start planning now when extending credit to patients. A 120-day notice will be required before we are able open accounts and start collection measures. However, the biggest unknown in this statute is whether there is a prohibition on further collection actions (docketing judgments and garnishments). The language is conflicting in the Act, which will lead to uncertainty as providers pursue unpaid medical debt.
Dan (current President of the Virginia Creditors' Bar Association) and I (immediate past President of the Virginia Creditors' Bar Association) are keeping an eye on how this Act impacts our clients and our colleagues.
