A Commonwealth Fund survey found 32% of working-age U.S. adults with health insurance are paying off medical debt; 46% of them owe at least $2,000. The debt caused anxiety and stress for 68% of respondents; some cut back on food, heat or rent or skipped future care.
Commonwealth Fund report co-author Sara R. Collins told Time that insured people’s medical debt often stems from routine visits, chronic-condition treatment and high deductibles. The Kaiser Family Foundation also said costs for care not covered by insurance—including denied claims and out-of-network care—can leave insured people in debt. In 2026, when enhanced premium tax credits expired, average Affordable Care Act Marketplace deductibles rose 37% to $3,786. The average general deductible for employer-sponsored single coverage was $1,886 in 2025, up from $1,787 in 2024; 2026 figures were not available.
Some respondents reported debts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the Commonwealth Fund found that one-third of Americans could not afford an unexpected $1,000 medical bill. KFF says people facing an unexpected bill can contact their insurer and may be able to use dispute channels under the 2022 No Surprises Act. CMS recommends checking billing codes and errors and seeking patient advocates; the CFPB says consumers can try negotiating a large bill or requesting an interest-free payment plan.
