Brief Past-Due Medical Debt among Nonelderly Adults, 2012–15
Michael Karpman, Kyle J. Caswell
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This brief provides the first state-level estimates of the share of nonelderly adults reporting medical bills that are past due, drawing on data from the 2012 and 2015 National Financial Capability Study. Past-due medical debt is common: 23.8 percent of nonelderly adults reported past-due medical debt in 2015, down 5.8 percentage points from 2012. Past-due medical debt varies considerably across states in both years, with the highest prevalence found in Southern states. Although health insurance is associated with a reduced likelihood of reporting past-due medical debt, many adults with insurance coverage remain unable to pay their medical bills on time.

Research Areas Education Health and health care Wealth and financial well-being
Tags Health insurance Asset and debts Financial knowledge and capability Family credit and debt
Policy Centers Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population Health Policy Center
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