How Financially Vulnerable are People with Medical Debt? February 12, 2024 Issue Brief This analysis of government data finds that people with medical debt are much more likely to have other forms of financial distress than those without medical debt, like having no “rainy day” fund, overdrawing a checking account, or relying on costly loans.
Health Care Debt In The U.S.: The Broad Consequences Of Medical And Dental Bills June 16, 2022 Report The KFF Health Care Debt Survey finds that four in ten adults have some form of health care debt, with most citing one-time or short-term medical expenses as the contributor. Many of those with health care debt report making personal sacrifices and enduring financial consequences as a result of their debt, while nearly one in five think they will never be able to pay off.
Health Cost and Affordability Policy Issues and Trends to Watch in 2024 January 24, 2024 Issue Brief While issues of health care costs and affordability may not be at the forefront of this year’s election issues, they remain a major concern among the public. About a quarter of Americans say they or a family member struggled to pay their medical bills just in the past year, and…
People with Medical Debt are Much More Likely to Experience Other Forms of Financial Stress February 12, 2024 News Release People with medical debt are much more likely than those without such debt to show other signs of financial vulnerability, like having no “rainy day” fund, overdrawing a checking account, or relying on costly loans, according to a new KFF analysis of national survey data. Medical debt remains a significant…
5 Charts About Public Opinion on the Affordable Care Act February 22, 2024 Poll Finding This compiles key polling data examining the favorability of the Affordable Care Act and its provisions, including protections for people with pre-existing conditions and the impact of the law on families.
The Cost of Cancer February 5, 2009 Video This Kaiser Family Foundation documentary explores the financial consequences faced by three people, all privately insured, after being diagnosed with cancer. It was released in conjunction with a joint Kaiser/American Cancer Society report, “Spending To Survive: Cancer Patients Confront Holes in the Health Insurance System.” To download the video, right-click…
The Affordability of Long-Term Care and Support Services: Findings from a KFF Survey November 14, 2023 Poll Finding This survey shows that most adults feel unprepared for affording the cost of long-term care and support service, and just under half are not confident they will have the financial resources to pay for care they might need as they age. Most older adults have not taken financial or practical steps to plan for their potential future care needs.
Access to Adult Dental Care Gets Renewed Focus in ACA Marketplace Proposal March 8, 2024 Blog Adult dental care can lead to high out of pocket costs for consumers, especially for those with private insurance coverage. This post analyzes a proposed provision in the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025, and possible implications for consumers who have Marketplace coverage.
What resources are available for privately insured patients who get surprise balance bills? March 19, 2024 Issue Brief Most patients do not know about the new surprise billing protections and likely also do not know of resources available to seek recourse for incorrect medical bills. This brief provides resources to privately insured patients who receive surprise balance bills and also summarizes relevant policies and how they apply to balance billing.
Medicare Households Spend More on Health Care Than Other Households March 14, 2024 Issue Brief This brief examines the financial burden of health care spending among households where all members are covered by Medicare compared to non-Medicare households.