Medical debt is defined as medical costs that are unable to be paid up front when receiving medical care. Thus, people with medical debt and those who are at risk of accumulating medical debt, may forgo needed medical care and treatment. For these individuals, rising and sometimes unexpected health care costs lead to further debt.
A recent analysis of government data by Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation found that people in the United States owe at least $220 billion in medical debt. This report summarizes key areas of concern in medical debt.
Key findings from this report include:
People in worse health and those living with a disability are more likely to report medical debt.
Middle-aged adults and Black people are more likely to have medical debt.
Low-income and middle-income adults as well as those without health insurance are more likely to have medical debt.
People living in rural areas and in the South are more likely to have medical debt.
Health status and income are both key factors in medical debt.
Most people with medical debt owe over $1,000.
The bulk of medical debt in the U.S. is owed by people with over $10,000 in debt.
The share of adults with medical debt varies considerably across the U.S. and, on average, 10.6% of adults (about 500,000 people( in Missouri report having medical debt in a given year.
The full report can be found here.
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