5 Charts About Americans and Medical Bills, July 2018

1. Figure 0
5
Charts About Americans and Medical Bills
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted June 11-20, 2018)

2. Figure 1
One-Fourth of Adults Under 65 Years Old Report Problems
Paying Medical Bills in the Past Year
AMONG 18-64 YEAR OLDS: In the past 12 months, did you or anyone in your household have problems
paying or an inability to pay any medical bills, such as bills for doctors, dentists, medication, or home
care?
Yes
26%
Don’t
know/
Refused
1%
No
73%
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted June 11-20, 2018)

3. Figure 2
Who Reports Problems Paying Medical Bills?
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted June 11-20, 2018)
AMONG 18-64 YEAR OLDS: Percent who say they or someone in their household had problems
paying medical bills, such as bills for doctors, dentists, medications, or home care in the past 12
months:
26%
39%
25%
14%
23%
43%
36%
14%
Total adults ages 18-64
Less than $40,000
$40,000-$89,999
$90,000 or more
Insured
Uninsured
Households with a pre-existing health
condition
Households without a pre-existing health
condition

4. Figure 3
Six in Ten of Those With Problems Paying Medical Bills Say
It Had A Major Impact on Them and Their Family
A major
impact
59%
A minor
impact
35%
No real
impact
6%
AMONG THE 26% OF 18-64 YEAR OLDS WHO HAD PROBLEMS PAYING MEDICAL BILLS DURING
THE PAST YEAR: Overall, how much of an impact have these medical bills had on you and your family?
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted June 11-20, 2018)

5. Figure 4
Those With Problems Paying Medical Bills Report Engaging
in a Variety of Actions to Pay off Bills
AMONG THE 26% OF 18-64 YEAR OLDS WHO HAD PROBLEMS PAYING MEDICAL BILLS DURING
THE PAST YEAR: Percent who say they or someone else in their household did each of the following in
the past 12 months in order to pay medical bills:
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted June 11-20, 2018)
74%
68%
58%
51%
41%
39%
38%
24%
22%
17%
10%
2%
Cut spending on household items
Put off vacation or major household purchases
Used up all or most of their savings
Taken an extra job or worked more hours
Increased their credit card debt
Borrowed money from friends or family
Taken money out of long-term savings accounts
Sought the aid of a charity or non-profit organization
Changed their living situation
Taken out another type of loan
Borrowed money from a payday lender
Taken out another mortgage on their home

6. Figure 5
Some Older Adults Also Report Problems Paying
Medical Bills
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted June 11-20, 2018)
AMONG ADULTS, 65 AND OLDER: In the past 12 months, did you or anyone in your household have
problems paying or an inability to pay any medical bills, such as bills for doctors, dentists, medication,
or home care?
Yes
21%
No
79%