Half of Americans (51%) report having outstanding medical bills or medical debt, and nearly three in five (59%) say they’ve avoided medical care because of it.
Widespread Burden of Medical Debt
Half of U.S. adults (51%) currently carry outstanding medical bills or medical debt, according to newly released survey data. For many, the situation is worsening with half (51%) of those with medical debt saying their bills have been sent to collections.
Delayed Care and Difficult Trade-Offs
The emotional and physical toll is clear, three-fifths (59%) of individuals with medical debt admit to avoiding medical care because of what they owe. These decisions can have long-term consequences, particularly when early treatment could prevent more serious conditions. The data reflects how debt is directly shaping health choices and outcomes for many Americans.
Public Opinion Supports Reform
A large majority, nine in ten (91%), believe that medical debt should be excluded from credit reports. Their reasons range from the belief that medical debt is often unavoidable and doesn’t reflect financial responsibility (77%), to concerns about its complexity and inaccuracy (57%), and the stress it creates (56%).
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Medical Debt Survey: 9 in 10 Americans with Medical Debt Say it Shouldn’t Hurt Their Credit.
Research publisher
Debt.com is a leading resource for personal finance education and debt solutions. In partnership with certified credit counselors and financial professionals, Debt.com helps individuals navigate challenges related to credit, budgeting, student loans, and more.
Methodology
Debt.com surveyed 682 people and asked 18 questions related to their medical debt. People responded from all 50 states and Washington, DC and were aged 18 and above. Responses were collected through SurveyMonkey. The survey was conducted on April 10, 2025.
