Details:

Personal Author:
Cha, Amy E. ; Cohen, Robin A.
Cha, Amy E. ; Cohen, Robin A. Less -
Corporate Authors:
National Center for Health Statistics (U.S.)
Description:
Data from the National Health Interview Survey

- Overall, the percentage of persons who were in families having problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months decreased from 19.7% in 2011 to 14.2% in 2018.

- In 2018, the percentage of persons who were in families having problems paying medical bills was higher among females (14.7%), children (16.2%), and non-Hispanic black persons (20.6%) compared with males, adults, and other racial and ethnic groups, respectively.

- Among persons under age 65, those who were uninsured were more likely than those with Medicaid or private coverage to have problems paying medical bills.

- Among adults aged 65 and over, those with Medicare and Medicaid, and Medicare only were more likely than those with Medicare Advantage or private coverage to have problems paying medical bills.

Previously published data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that in 2017 one in seven persons under age 65 was in a family having problems paying medical bills (1). Significant expenses for one family member may adversely affect the whole family (2). People who are in families with problems paying medical bills may experience serious financial consequences, such as having problems with paying for food, clothing, or housing, and filing for bankruptcy (3). Health insurance coverage status (i.e., uninsured, public coverage, or private coverage) may also impact the ability to afford health care costs (4). This report examines characteristics of persons who live in families that have problems paying medical bills.

Suggested citation: Cha AE, Cohen RA. Problems paying medical bills, 2018. NCHS Data Brief, no 357. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2020.

CS314475

db357-h.pdf


Subject:
[+]
Fees, Medical
Health Expenditures
Health Services Accessibility
Medically Uninsured
Poverty/economics
Prescription Fees
Socioeconomic Factors

Series:
NCHS data brief ; no. 357 ; DHHS publication ; no. 2020–1209
NCHS data brief ; no. 357 ; DHHS publication ; no. 2020–1209 Less -
Document Type:
Journal Issue
Name as Subject:
National Health Interview Survey (U.S.) ; National Health Interview Survey (U.S.)
National Health Interview Survey (U.S.) ; National Health Interview Survey (U.S.) Less -
Genre:
Statistics
Place as Subject:
United States
Collection(s):
Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:f21ee8d431bb35197e272ddcc432ac4b3fd06bceb6dd070c1009444cb559f18b
File Type:

Supporting Files

• No Additional Files

More +