1 in 3 Americans with health insurance have medical debt, survey finds

Updated on: September 17, 2026 / 8:40 PM EDT / CBS News

1 in 3 Americans with health insurance have medical debt, survey finds

TL;DR

  • One in three Americans with employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or private health insurance have medical debt.
  • Hospital visits are the most common source of medical debt, followed by routine care like doctor's appointments and lab tests.
  • Nearly half of those with medical debt owe at least $2,000.
  • To pay medical bills, 37% drained savings, 30% cut back on essentials, and 30% delayed or forwent medical care.
  • The primary cause of debt is the extent of insurance coverage for out-of-pocket costs.
  • Consumers can dispute erroneous medical bills and negotiate payment plans with insurers and providers.