US Healthcare Costs Force Insured Americans to Delay Care
US healthcare costs are pushing insured patients to delay medical care, skip appointments and reduce prescription use. Young adults and women report greater financial pressure, while medical debt and high out-of-pocket expenses weaken the protection offered by insurance.
Delayed medical care remains widespread
High medical costs are forcing many insured Americans to postpone treatment even when they have health coverage. A survey published by financial services company JG Wentworth found that 92% of its insured respondents had delayed or avoided medical care because they were concerned about the cost.
The finding should not be interpreted as meaning 92% of all Americans have delayed care. It reflects the responses of insured participants in the company’s survey. Even so, it highlights a serious gap between possessing an insurance policy and being able to afford deductibles, copayments, medicines and services outside an insurer’s network.
Only 12.4% of insured respondents said they were very confident that their coverage would protect them from financial hardship during a serious medical emergency. About 95% believed an unexpected medical crisis could push them into major debt.
Young adults face the greatest care delays
Financial pressure was highest among younger respondents. The survey found that 94.2% of insured adults aged 18 to 28 had postponed or avoided treatment because of cost. The figure was 93.7% among those aged 29 to 44.
The rate fell to 75.9% among people aged 45 to 60 and 45.8% among respondents aged 61 and older. Younger adults may face lower earnings, student loans, high housing expenses and insurance plans carrying substantial deductibles, leaving them more exposed to unexpected bills.
Delaying preventive care may appear to save money in the short term, but untreated conditions can become more serious and expensive. KFF reported that 18% of adults said their health became worse after they skipped or delayed treatment because of cost.
Women delay care more often than men
Gender also influenced healthcare decisions. JG Wentworth reported that 93.9% of insured women in its survey had delayed treatment for financial reasons, compared with 89% of men.
Broader KFF findings show a similar pattern. In a national poll, 38% of women said they had skipped or postponed needed healthcare during the previous year because of cost, compared with 32% of men. The figures suggest women may face added pressure from caregiving expenses, income differences and recurring healthcare needs.
Medical debt affects millions of households
Medical debt remains a major problem, although the claim that 85% of Americans carry such debt is unsupported. KFF reports that 41% of US adults had some type of debt connected to medical or dental bills, including balances on credit cards, payment plans, loans and money owed to relatives or friends.
A separate KFF analysis of government data estimated that Americans owed at least $220 billion in medical debt. It found that about 14 million adults owed more than $1,000 and roughly 3 million owed over $10,000. That estimate was published in February 2024, not February 2026.
Patients without insurance face even greater exposure. Zocdoc estimates that an uninsured primary care visit generally costs between $40 and $300, averaging about $171 across major US cities. The estimate is based on a 2024 survey and does not include laboratory tests, imaging, medicines or specialist services.
Prescription costs change patient behaviour
Expensive medicines are also changing how Americans manage their health. KFF found that 31% of adults had used an over-the-counter product instead of filling a prescription because of cost. Another 27% did not fill a prescription, while 19% cut pills or skipped doses to make medicines last longer.
Overall, 43% reported taking at least one cost-saving step that meant they did not use medication exactly as prescribed. Such decisions may reduce immediate spending but can weaken treatment, worsen chronic conditions and lead to emergency care later.
US inflation increased 4.2% over the year ending May 2026 before easing to 3.5% in June. Medical care prices rose 2% over the year ending June, while hospital services continued to increase. The figures show that healthcare affordability remains a long-term structural problem, not simply a result of one month’s inflation.
