How much does the average American pay in medical bills?
Asked by: Lura Carroll | Last update: November 16, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (54 votes)
How much does the average American spend on medical bills?
National personal healthcare spending has increased by more than $3 trillion in the past 40 years, or 1,629%. Total personal healthcare expenditures rose from $214.3 billion in 1980 to $3.7 trillion in 2022 and per-person spending went from $932 to $11,193.
How much does the average person owe in medical bills?
The average debt for medical care is increasing.
The average amount of debt people owe for medical care has risen over the past five years. In 2017, the average medical debt was $12,430. In 2021, it was $18,660, a 50% increase.
How much does the average American pay per month for healthcare?
The average national monthly health insurance cost for one person on an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan without premium tax credits in 2024 is $477.
How much are medical bills usually?
They can vary wildly. The average per-day hospital cost in the U.S. is $2,883, with California ($4,181) the most expensive, and Mississippi ($1,305) the least.
The real reason American health care is so expensive
What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare?
Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.
How much does a 3 day stay in the hospital cost?
It's easy to underestimate how much medical care can cost: Fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. The average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000.
Is it cheaper to pay medical bills out-of-pocket?
While health insurance provides a financial cushion for major medical expenses, out-of-pocket medical bills still eat into American budgets. The latest data from the Milliman Medical Index shows consumers spend over $1,100 per year above their health insurance contribution on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
Why are medical bills so high?
Healthcare is often very expensive, especially for Americans. There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of healthcare in the country including wasteful systems, rising drug costs, medical professional salaries, profit-driven healthcare centers, types of medical practices, and health-related pricing.
What country has the most expensive health care?
The United States: the world's highest medical expenses
The United States has the most expensive healthcare system of any country. A medical consultation with a general practitioner costs, on average, $190 or around €170. A stay in hospital can result in bills amounting to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
How many people don't pay hospital bills?
Approximately 14 million people (6% of adults) in the U.S. owe over $1,000 in medical debt and about 3 million people (1% of adults) owe medical debt of more than $10,000.”
What is considered bad debt in medical billing?
Bad debt in healthcare represents an estimate for a bill that the patient or other payor cannot, or will not, pay. Bad debt is also referred to as uncompensated care. Some healthcare providers will report a bad debt as the difference between what a patient was billed and the amount of the bill that was paid.
What is the minimum monthly payment on medical bills?
Your minimum monthly payment will depend on the agreement you set up with your medical provider. Review your itemized bill to find the total amount you owe, as well as any potential charges or fees. Sometimes if you offer to pay a lump sum although lower than what you owe, your provider might take up on that offer.
What happens if you don't pay medical bills in America?
Medical debt can also lead people to avoid medical care, develop physical and mental health problems, and face adverse financial consequences like lawsuits, wage and bank account garnishment, home liens, and bankruptcy.
What age is healthcare most expensive?
Since people age 65 and over, on average, spend more on healthcare than any other age group, growth in the number of older Americans is expected to increase total healthcare costs over time.
What country has the best healthcare?
According to the 2024 Mirror, Mirror report, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have the best healthcare systems, though the differences in overall performance among most countries are relatively small.
Which country has free healthcare?
All but 43 countries in the world have free healthcare or access to universal healthcare for at least 90% of their citizens according to Hudson's Global Residence Index. However, Brazil is the only country in the world that offers free healthcare for all its citizens.
Should I even pay my medical bills?
You may be tempted to jump at a quick fix for your medical debt — or to ignore it entirely. But doing so could cost you more in interest and may put your credit scores at risk. Taking a proactive approach to paying off your medical bills can help you avoid delinquent medical debt on your credit report.
How much is a hospital bed per day?
Staying In A Hospital In the United States
Recent studies show California ($3,726 per day) and Oregon ($3,271) are, on average, the most expensive; Wyoming ($1,383) and Iowa ($1,606) a distant second.
Is there a way to lower medical bills?
Offer to pay upfront.
If you can afford to pay a portion of the bill upfront, you can sometimes reduce medical bills by earning a discount. Many healthcare providers are more likely to offer a reduced rate if they know they will receive payment promptly.
What is the average hospital bill in the US?
The average per-day hospital cost is $2,883, but the average stay is 4.5 days — equaling $12,974. Average earnings among private U.S. workers are $33.82 an hour. Between 1999 and 2021, the average hospital stay cost increased 161.7%. In 1999, the average cost was $1,102 a day.
What if I need surgery but can't afford my deductible?
In cases like this, we recommend contacting your insurance, surgeon, or hospital and asking if they can help you with a payment plan. Remember that your surgery provider wants to get paid so they may be very willing to work with you on a payment plan.
How much does 1 week in ICU cost?
Mean intensive care unit cost and length of stay were 31,574 +/- 42,570 dollars and 14.4 days +/- 15.8 for patients requiring mechanical ventilation and 12,931 +/- 20,569 dollars and 8.5 days +/- 10.5 for those not requiring mechanical ventilation.