How many people skip medical treatment due to healthcare costs?

In 2022, 28% of American adults skipped some form of medical treatment because of cost, according to the Federal Reserve. This is lower than the 32% documented in 2013, when data collection began, but is the third-highest year on record.

The probability of declining or avoiding medical care correlated with income: 38% of people with a family income under $25,000 skipped medical treatment in 2022, compared to 11% of people with incomes of $100,000 or more.

How many Americans are uninsured?

In 2022, 26.4 million — 8% of Americans^[1] — did not have health insurance. Among adults ages 19 and older, 8.9% did not have health insurance. High costs mean out-of-pocket healthcare expenses can be challenging for uninsured adults; in 2022, 23% of adults had an unexpected medical expense costing between $1,000 and $1,999. That same year, 16% of adults reported having debt resulting either from their own medical care, or a family member’s.

What kind of medical care do people skip most frequently due to costs?

In 2022, people skipped dental care most frequently, with 21% of American adults forgoing treatment. This was followed by doctor visits (16%), prescription medicine (10%), follow-up care (10%), and mental health or counseling visits (10%).

Does having health insurance reduce the probability of skipping medical care?

In 2022, 42% of American adults without health insurance skipped medical treatment because they couldn’t afford it, compared with 26% of American adults with health insurance. The Department of Health and Human Services also found that uninsured adults are less likely to have a primary care provider, which also leaves them unable to access recommended medications and preventative screenings.

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