Medical debt statistics.
More than 1 in 4 US adults said they or a family member owed medical or dental bills they could not pay in full (Urban Institute survey, December 2025). Credit-record data show a much smaller share (Urban Institute, August 2025), because they count only debts in collections, and several states limited that reporting at the time. Here are the figures, with their sources, and why they differ.
Last updated .
Key facts
Adults who said they or a family member owed medical or dental bills they could not pay in full
- What it says
- 26.6%
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Medical debt owed by US adults, at least
- What it says
- $220 billionData from December 2021 (Census survey), debts over $250.
- Applies to
- US adults who owed more than $250, December 2021
- As of
People with a credit record who had medical debt in collections
- What it says
- 3.2%Credit report data from August 2025. It undercounts, because seven states restrict reporting.
- Applies to
- US consumers with a credit record, August 2025
- As of
Adults with health insurance who reported medical debt
- What it says
- 25.7%
- Applies to
- Insured US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults who said they or a family member owed medical or dental bills they could not pay in full | 26.6% | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Medical debt owed by US adults, at least | $220 billionData from December 2021 (Census survey), debts over $250. | US adults who owed more than $250, December 2021 | ||
| People with a credit record who had medical debt in collections | 3.2%Credit report data from August 2025. It undercounts, because seven states restrict reporting. | US consumers with a credit record, August 2025 | ||
| Adults with health insurance who reported medical debt | 25.7% | Insured US adults, survey of December 2025 |
Every figure on this page names its source and the year of its data, and the sources list at the end gives the date we last checked it. Survey figures and credit-record figures measure different things; the last section explains how.
How many adults have medical debt?
The newest national survey asked about medical and dental bills in December 2025. The share of adults who said they or a family member owed bills they could not pay in full was 26.6% (Urban Institute, December 2025).
Other counts ask other questions, so their figures differ.
Other ways of counting
Adults whose families had past-due medical bills or bills they could not pay
- What it says
- 15.4%
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Adults who personally owed more than $250 in medical debt
- What it says
- 20 millionData from December 2021 (Census survey), debts over $250.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
Households that owed medical debt in 2017
- What it says
- 19%The 2021 household figure was published by Peterson-KFF, citing the Census Bureau.
- Applies to
- US households, Census Bureau
- Source
- US Census Bureau
- As of
Households that owed medical debt in 2021
- What it says
- 15%The 2021 household figure was published by Peterson-KFF, citing the Census Bureau.
- Applies to
- US households, Census Bureau data published by Peterson-KFF
- Source
- US Census Bureau
- As of
Adults with any current health care debt, including bills on credit cards, payment plans and money owed to family
- What it says
- 41%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of February and March 2022
- As of
Adults with health care debt now or at some time in the past five years, in the same broad definition
- What it says
- 57%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of February and March 2022
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults whose families had past-due medical bills or bills they could not pay | 15.4% | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Adults who personally owed more than $250 in medical debt | 20 millionData from December 2021 (Census survey), debts over $250. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| Households that owed medical debt in 2017 | 19%The 2021 household figure was published by Peterson-KFF, citing the Census Bureau. | US households, Census Bureau | ||
| Households that owed medical debt in 2021 | 15%The 2021 household figure was published by Peterson-KFF, citing the Census Bureau. | US households, Census Bureau data published by Peterson-KFF | ||
| Adults with any current health care debt, including bills on credit cards, payment plans and money owed to family | 41%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family. | US adults, survey of February and March 2022 | ||
| Adults with health care debt now or at some time in the past five years, in the same broad definition | 57%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family. | US adults, survey of February and March 2022 |
How much do people owe?
In total, adults in the United States owed at least $220 billion (Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, December 2021) Data from December 2021 (Census survey), debts over $250.
Amounts owed
Adults with medical debt who owed $1,000 or more
- What it says
- 53.8%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Adults with medical debt who owed $5,000 or more
- What it says
- 15.5%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Adults with private insurance paying off medical bills over time who owed $2,000 or more
- What it says
- 46%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64.
- Applies to
- Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64, survey of 2025
- As of
Adults with health care debt who owed $10,000 or more, in the broad definition
- What it says
- 12%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family.
- Applies to
- US adults with health care debt, survey of February and March 2022
- As of
Median balance of medical debt in collections on a credit record
- What it says
- $1,448Credit report data from August 2025. It undercounts, because seven states restrict reporting.
- Applies to
- US consumers with medical debt in collections, August 2025
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults with medical debt who owed $1,000 or more | 53.8% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Adults with medical debt who owed $5,000 or more | 15.5% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Adults with private insurance paying off medical bills over time who owed $2,000 or more | 46%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64. | Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64, survey of 2025 | ||
| Adults with health care debt who owed $10,000 or more, in the broad definition | 12%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family. | US adults with health care debt, survey of February and March 2022 | ||
| Median balance of medical debt in collections on a credit record | $1,448Credit report data from August 2025. It undercounts, because seven states restrict reporting. | US consumers with medical debt in collections, August 2025 |
What the debt was for
Adults with medical debt could name more than one kind of bill, so these shares add up to more than the whole.
Owed money for hospital care
- What it says
- 52.1%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Owed money to specialists
- What it says
- 41.5%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Owed money for dental care
- What it says
- 37.6%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Owed money for regular doctor visits
- What it says
- 33.5%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owed money for hospital care | 52.1% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Owed money to specialists | 41.5% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Owed money for dental care | 37.6% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Owed money for regular doctor visits | 33.5% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 |
Who is most affected?
In the newest national survey, medical debt was most common among adults with low and middle incomes, adults with disabilities or in fair or poor health, and adults aged 35 to 54. Black and Hispanic adults, and adults of additional races, reported it more often than white and Asian adults Source 1. These shares show who reported medical debt, not why.
By family income
Incomes below the federal poverty level
- What it says
- 30.9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Incomes from one to two times the poverty level
- What it says
- 37.8%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Incomes from two to four times the poverty level
- What it says
- 33.3%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Incomes from four to six times the poverty level
- What it says
- 24.5%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Incomes six times the poverty level or more
- What it says
- 12.3%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incomes below the federal poverty level | 30.9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Incomes from one to two times the poverty level | 37.8%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Incomes from two to four times the poverty level | 33.3%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Incomes from four to six times the poverty level | 24.5%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Incomes six times the poverty level or more | 12.3%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 |
By race and ethnicity
Black adults
- What it says
- 37.5%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Hispanic adults
- What it says
- 34.8%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
White adults
- What it says
- 23.1%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Asian adults
- What it says
- 11.3%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Adults of additional races
- What it says
- 38.1%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black adults | 37.5%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Hispanic adults | 34.8%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| White adults | 23.1%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Asian adults | 11.3%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Adults of additional races | 38.1%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 |
By age
Aged 18 to 24
- What it says
- 26.4%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Aged 25 to 34
- What it says
- 27.2%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Aged 35 to 44
- What it says
- 30.9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Aged 45 to 54
- What it says
- 33.9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Aged 55 to 64
- What it says
- 27.7%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Aged 65 and older
- What it says
- 17.6%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 18 to 24 | 26.4%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Aged 25 to 34 | 27.2%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Aged 35 to 44 | 30.9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Aged 45 to 54 | 33.9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Aged 55 to 64 | 27.7%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Aged 65 and older | 17.6%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 |
By disability and health
Adults with disabilities
- What it says
- 41.1%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Adults without disabilities
- What it says
- 21.9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Adults in fair or poor health
- What it says
- 42%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Adults in excellent or very good health
- What it says
- 17.4%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults with disabilities | 41.1%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Adults without disabilities | 21.9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Adults in fair or poor health | 42%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Adults in excellent or very good health | 17.4%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, survey of December 2025 |
In an earlier Census survey
These shares come from Census survey data for the end of 2021. They count adults who personally owed medical debt above the amount given in each row.
Black adults who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 13%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
White adults who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 8%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
Asian adults who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 3%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
Adults with a disability who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 13%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
Adults without a disability who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 6%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
Women who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
Men who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 7%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black adults who owed more than $250 | 13%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| White adults who owed more than $250 | 8%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| Asian adults who owed more than $250 | 3%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| Adults with a disability who owed more than $250 | 13%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| Adults without a disability who owed more than $250 | 6%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| Women who owed more than $250 | 9%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| Men who owed more than $250 | 7%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 |
How much medical debt is on credit reports now?
Much less than a few years ago. In August 2025, the share of people with a credit record who had medical debt in collections was 3.2% (Urban Institute, Debt in America interactive map (2025 update), August 2025 credit bureau data) Credit report data from August 2025. It undercounts, because seven states restrict reporting.
The drop followed changes by the three national credit bureaus. Since 2022 they leave off paid medical collections and wait a year before an unpaid one can appear Source 7. Since 2023 they also leave off medical collections that started with a balance under $500 (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion joint release, Effective April 11, 2023). The share of medical collection accounts that the bureaus said this removed was nearly 70% (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion joint release, Effective April 11, 2023).
Before and after the bureau changes
Medical bills on credit records in June 2021
- What it says
- $88 billionJune 2021 data, before the credit bureaus removed most medical collections from reports. Not current.
- Applies to
- US consumer credit records, June 2021
- Source
- CFPB
- As of
Share of bills in collections on credit records that were medical, in 2021
- What it says
- 58%June 2021 data, before the credit bureaus removed most medical collections from reports. Not current.
- Applies to
- US consumer credit records, June 2021
- Source
- CFPB
- As of
People with medical debt in collections on their credit record, August 2018
- What it says
- 16%
- Applies to
- US consumers with a credit record
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
The same share, February 2022
- What it says
- 12.6%
- Applies to
- US consumers with a credit record
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
The same share, August 2023
- What it says
- 5%
- Applies to
- US consumers with a credit record
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Americans with medical bills on their credit reports, March 2022
- What it says
- 14%Credit report data, March 2022 to June 2023.
- Applies to
- US consumers with a credit record
- Source
- CFPB
- As of
The same share, June 2023
- What it says
- 5%Credit report data, March 2022 to June 2023.
- Applies to
- US consumers with a credit record
- Source
- CFPB
- As of
People who still had medical collections on their reports, June 2023
- What it says
- 15 millionCredit report data, March 2022 to June 2023.
- Applies to
- US consumers with a credit record
- Source
- CFPB
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical bills on credit records in June 2021 | $88 billionJune 2021 data, before the credit bureaus removed most medical collections from reports. Not current. | US consumer credit records, June 2021 | ||
| Share of bills in collections on credit records that were medical, in 2021 | 58%June 2021 data, before the credit bureaus removed most medical collections from reports. Not current. | US consumer credit records, June 2021 | ||
| People with medical debt in collections on their credit record, August 2018 | 16% | US consumers with a credit record | ||
| The same share, February 2022 | 12.6% | US consumers with a credit record | ||
| The same share, August 2023 | 5% | US consumers with a credit record | ||
| Americans with medical bills on their credit reports, March 2022 | 14%Credit report data, March 2022 to June 2023. | US consumers with a credit record | ||
| The same share, June 2023 | 5%Credit report data, March 2022 to June 2023. | US consumers with a credit record | ||
| People who still had medical collections on their reports, June 2023 | 15 millionCredit report data, March 2022 to June 2023. | US consumers with a credit record |
What people said about collections and credit
Were contacted by a collection agency
- What it says
- 35.2%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Said the debt lowered their credit score
- What it says
- 21.7%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
Said the same, among people in states that ban or restrict medical debt on credit reports
- What it says
- 18.1%
- Applies to
- US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025
- Source
- Urban Institute
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Were contacted by a collection agency | 35.2% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Said the debt lowered their credit score | 21.7% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 | ||
| Said the same, among people in states that ban or restrict medical debt on credit reports | 18.1% | US adults with medical debt, survey of December 2025 |
There is no federal ban on medical debt in credit reports. Protection comes from the credit bureaus' own policies and from state laws, and some of those laws are being challenged in court. The number of states with such a law, not counting the District of Columbia, was 15 (National Consumer Law Center, As of November 2, 2026) Court cases may change this. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Our guide to medical debt and your credit report lists those laws, and our tracker of medical debt laws by state shows where each state stands.
Which states have the most?
Census survey data averaged over 2019 to 2021 show wide gaps between states. Each row names the smallest debt it counts, and the first row gives the national share for comparison.
Highest and lowest states
The whole United States, for comparison
- What it says
- 8.6%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed.
- Applies to
- US adults with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average
- As of
South Dakota, the highest
- What it says
- 17.7%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed.
- Applies to
- Adults in South Dakota with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average
- As of
Mississippi
- What it says
- 15.2%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed.
- Applies to
- Adults in Mississippi with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average
- As of
North Carolina
- What it says
- 13.4%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed.
- Applies to
- Adults in North Carolina with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average
- As of
West Virginia
- What it says
- 13.3%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed.
- Applies to
- Adults in West Virginia with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average
- As of
Georgia
- What it says
- 12.7%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed.
- Applies to
- Adults in Georgia with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average
- As of
District of Columbia
- What it says
- 2.7%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed.
- Applies to
- Adults in the District of Columbia with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average
- As of
Hawaii, the lowest
- What it says
- 2.3%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed.
- Applies to
- Adults in Hawaii with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The whole United States, for comparison | 8.6%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed. | US adults with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average | ||
| South Dakota, the highest | 17.7%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed. | Adults in South Dakota with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average | ||
| Mississippi | 15.2%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed. | Adults in Mississippi with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average | ||
| North Carolina | 13.4%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed. | Adults in North Carolina with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average | ||
| West Virginia | 13.3%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed. | Adults in West Virginia with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average | ||
| Georgia | 12.7%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed. | Adults in Georgia with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average | ||
| District of Columbia | 2.7%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed. | Adults in the District of Columbia with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average | ||
| Hawaii, the lowest | 2.3%Average of 2019 to 2021; state rates may have changed. | Adults in Hawaii with $250 or more in medical debt, 2019 to 2021 average |
Newer credit-record data by state leave out seven states that banned such reporting at the time, so they cannot rank every state Source 3. Among adults with private insurance, paying off medical bills over time was most common in the South: 39% (Commonwealth Fund, 2025 Affordability Survey (Collins et al.), 2025) Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64.
Does insurance prevent medical debt?
No. Among adults with health insurance, the share who reported medical debt was 25.7% (Urban Institute, December 2025). Among adults without insurance, it was 35.2% (Urban Institute, December 2025).
Adults with private insurance
Were paying off medical bills or debt over time
- What it says
- 32%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64.
- Applies to
- Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64, survey of 2025
- As of
Of them, said the debt came from hospital care
- What it says
- 64%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64.
- Applies to
- Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64 paying off medical bills, survey of 2025
- As of
Black adults with private insurance who were paying off medical bills over time
- What it says
- 41%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64.
- Applies to
- Privately insured Black adults aged 19 to 64, survey of 2025
- As of
Of those paying off medical debt, said it caused worry or anxiety
- What it says
- 68%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64.
- Applies to
- Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64 paying off medical debt, survey of 2025
- As of
Used up all or part of their savings
- What it says
- 37%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64.
- Applies to
- Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64 paying off medical debt, survey of 2025
- As of
Cut back on basics like food, heat or rent
- What it says
- 30%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64.
- Applies to
- Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64 paying off medical debt, survey of 2025
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Were paying off medical bills or debt over time | 32%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64. | Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64, survey of 2025 | ||
| Of them, said the debt came from hospital care | 64%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64. | Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64 paying off medical bills, survey of 2025 | ||
| Black adults with private insurance who were paying off medical bills over time | 41%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64. | Privately insured Black adults aged 19 to 64, survey of 2025 | ||
| Of those paying off medical debt, said it caused worry or anxiety | 68%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64. | Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64 paying off medical debt, survey of 2025 | ||
| Used up all or part of their savings | 37%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64. | Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64 paying off medical debt, survey of 2025 | ||
| Cut back on basics like food, heat or rent | 30%Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64. | Privately insured US adults aged 19 to 64 paying off medical debt, survey of 2025 |
Insurance in other surveys
Adults uninsured for part of the year who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 14%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
Adults insured all year who owed more than $250
- What it says
- 8%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why.
- Applies to
- US adults, Census survey data of December 2021
- As of
Uninsured adults under 65 with health care debt, in the broad definition
- What it says
- 62%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family.
- Applies to
- US adults under 65, survey of February and March 2022
- As of
Insured adults under 65 with health care debt, in the broad definition
- What it says
- 44%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family.
- Applies to
- US adults under 65, survey of February and March 2022
- As of
| Fact | What it says | Applies to | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults uninsured for part of the year who owed more than $250 | 14%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| Adults insured all year who owed more than $250 | 8%Shares by group from one survey; they describe who reported debt, not why. | US adults, Census survey data of December 2021 | ||
| Uninsured adults under 65 with health care debt, in the broad definition | 62%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family. | US adults under 65, survey of February and March 2022 | ||
| Insured adults under 65 with health care debt, in the broad definition | 44%A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family. | US adults under 65, survey of February and March 2022 |
Why do the numbers differ?
Surveys and credit records measure different things.
- Surveys ask people. They count bills that people say they owe and cannot pay, or are paying off over time. Some count debts owed by anyone in the family, and some count only debts a person owes personally. Some include medical bills on credit cards or money owed to relatives Source 1Source 2Source 5.
- Credit records count collections. They include only medical debt that became a collection account on a credit file. Bills still with the provider are not in them, and some states keep medical debt off reports, so their figures are lower Source 3.
- The rules changed in 2022 and 2023. Credit-record figures from before the credit bureaus' changes describe a different system, so we never present them as current Source 7.
- Years matter. Some widely repeated figures come from 2021 or 2022. Every figure on this page carries the year of its data.
Shares by group, in any survey, describe who reported medical debt, not why.
The figures on this page are also published as a spreadsheet file (CSV), with the source of each one.
Next step
If you need help with your own situation, these can help:
Sources
Note 1 Urban Institute, "More than One-Quarter of US Adults Had Medical Debt in 2025" (M. Karpman). Published October 2026. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 2 Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, "The burden of medical debt in the United States". Published February 12, 2024. Data from December 2021 (Census survey), debts over $250. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 3 Urban Institute, Debt in America interactive map (2025 update). Published October 2025. Credit report data from August 2025. It undercounts, because seven states restrict reporting. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 4 US Census Bureau, "Who Had Medical Debt in the United States?" (2021 figure as cited by Peterson-KFF). Published April 2021. The 2021 household figure was published by Peterson-KFF, citing the Census Bureau. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 5 KFF Health Care Debt Survey. Published June 16, 2022. A 2022 survey with a broad definition that includes bills on credit cards and money owed to family. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 6 Commonwealth Fund, 2025 Affordability Survey (Collins et al.). Published September 2026. Privately insured adults aged 19 to 64. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 7 Equifax, Experian and TransUnion joint release. Published March 18, 2022. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 8 CFPB, "CFPB Estimates $88 Billion in Medical Bills on Credit Reports". Published March 1, 2022. June 2021 data, before the credit bureaus removed most medical collections from reports. Not current. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 9 Urban Institute, "Medical Debt Was Erased from Credit Records for Most Consumers" (Blavin, Braga, Karpman). Published November 2, 2023. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 10 CFPB, "CFPB Finds 15 Million Americans Have Medical Bills on Their Credit Reports". Published April 29, 2024. Credit report data, March 2022 to June 2023. Last checked November 2, 2026.
Note 11 National Consumer Law Center, "The Latest on Keeping Medical Debt Out of Credit Reports". Published September 21, 2026. Court cases may change this. Last checked November 2, 2026. Last checked November 2, 2026.
No changes since this page was first published.
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