Around one in three adults skip or delay healthcare due to cost, with even higher rates among people without insurance.
How Many People Avoid Healthcare Due To Cost? Overview And Context
When you ask yourself “how many people avoid healthcare due to cost?”, you are pointing at a pattern that shows up in surveys year after year. Across many countries, cost keeps people away from doctors, clinics, tests, and medicines, even when they feel unwell or live with a long term condition.
In recent national polling in the United States, roughly one third of adults reported skipping or postponing needed medical care because they could not cover the bill. Among people without health coverage, that share climbs much higher. Global monitoring paints a wider picture of households pushed into hardship by medical expenses or skipping care altogether.
| Group | Share Skipping Or Delaying Care Due To Cost | Source Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| All U.S. adults | About 36% in past year | Recent national poll, 2025 |
| Insured U.S. adults | About 37% report cost barriers | Health policy brief, 2025 |
| Uninsured U.S. adults | Around 75% skip or delay care | Health policy brief, 2025 |
| Working age adults with coverage | About 38% delayed or skipped care | National survey, 2023–2025 |
| Adults reporting fair or poor health | Higher rates of skipped care | International survey of older adults |
| Global population | Billions face financial hardship | WHO and World Bank monitoring |
| People pushed into poverty by health costs | Roughly 1.6 billion worldwide | Recent WHO–World Bank report |
These numbers vary by survey method and country, yet the direction is clear. Cost is not a rare edge case. For many households it shapes when, where, and whether they seek care at all.
How Many People Avoid Health Care Because Of Cost In The United States
In the United States, national polling gives a detailed view of how many people avoid or delay care due to money worries. A 2025 polling brief from the health policy group KFF reported that about 36 percent of adults had skipped or postponed care they felt they needed in the past year because of cost. The same research found that women were a bit more likely than men to report passing up care for this reason.
A companion explainer from KFF on health care costs and affordability shows how much the burden changes by coverage type. Among uninsured adults, roughly three out of four said they had skipped or postponed needed care due to cost. Among adults with insurance, more than one in three still reported cost related barriers in the previous year. You can read the detailed charts in the KFF health care costs and affordability brief.
Another national survey of working age adults with health coverage found a similar pattern. Close to four in ten insured adults said they had delayed or skipped care because of the price tag, even though they technically had some form of coverage. That share had climbed compared with earlier years, which suggests that rising deductibles, copays, and coinsurance are squeezing household budgets.
The type of care matters as well. People report putting off dental visits, specialist appointments, recommended tests, and even filling prescriptions. Many say they try to stretch medications by splitting pills or skipping days, which can weaken treatment plans that doctors carefully design.
Who Feels Cost Barriers Most Strongly
Cost related access problems do not fall evenly across the population. Adults with low incomes face the steepest trade offs, because even a modest bill can compete with rent, food, and other basics. People with chronic conditions also report higher rates of skipped care, since their contact with the health system is frequent and bills stack up quickly.
Older adults live with cost pressure too, especially those on fixed incomes. International survey work by the Commonwealth Fund shows that older adults in the United States report more bill problems and cost related barriers than peers in many other high income countries with broader public coverage. At the same time, younger adults who are just starting careers often lack savings to cushion a surprise bill.
Race, location, and language access shape the picture as well. Many neighborhoods that already face higher rates of illness also deal with gaps in insurance, fewer nearby providers, and higher rates of medical debt. That mix makes cost concerns even sharper.
Global Picture Of Cost Barriers To Healthcare
Cost related access problems show up worldwide, not just in one country. A 2025 monitoring report from the World Health Organization and the World Bank estimated that about 2.1 billion people face financial hardship due to spending on health care. This group includes people pushed into poverty and those already living in poverty who have to cut back on other needs when health costs rise.
The same monitoring work found that around 4.6 billion people still lack access to basic health services. That gap is not only about clinic locations or staff shortages. Out of pocket charges at the point of care often stand between households and needed visits or medicines. Those charges include visit fees, tests, drugs, and sometimes informal payments.
For global numbers and methods, the WHO universal health coverage fact sheet brings together main indicators. It shows how financial protection and service coverage move together. When one lags, cost pressure rises and more people avoid care or fall into hardship after they seek it.
Scale differs by region, yet the pattern repeats. Households weigh the price of care against food, transport, school fees, and other bills. For many, that choice ends with a missed appointment, a late diagnosis, or a skipped refill.
Why Cost Stops People From Getting Care
Money affects access to care through many channels at once. Some are direct, like a high deductible or a large pharmacy copay at the counter. Others are indirect, like the cost of gas to reach a clinic or wages lost when a person misses work for an appointment.
Insurance Gaps And High Deductibles
Some people have no health coverage at all. Others have plans that come with high deductibles and narrow networks. When every visit counts against a large deductible, many people hold off on seeing a doctor unless a problem feels urgent.
Even when preventive visits are covered with no copay, confusion about benefits can lead people to expect a bill and skip care. Surprise bills from past visits can also build mistrust, so a person decides not to schedule follow up care even when a doctor suggests it.
Out Of Pocket Costs And Medical Debt
Out of pocket costs include deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and charges for services that fall outside a plan’s covered list. Over time, those charges can turn into credit card debt, loans from family or friends, or unpaid balances in collections.
People who already carry medical debt report higher stress about seeing doctors again. Many say they avoid care because they fear new bills on top of old ones. That pattern shows up in survey data that connect medical debt levels with skipped tests, visits, and prescriptions.
Hidden Expenses Around Each Visit
The cost of seeing a doctor does not stop with the bill from the clinic. Travel, child care, and lost wages add up quickly. A worker paid by the hour can lose a day’s earnings with a single visit, especially in jobs with no paid sick leave.
People in rural areas may have to travel long distances for certain kinds of care. That means fuel, bus fare, or train tickets on top of the clinic bill. When budgets already feel tight, these side costs tip the balance toward staying home.
What Skipping Care Does To Health And Finances
Skipping care for cost reasons might feel like a short term fix, but it can carry steep long term effects. Uncontrolled blood pressure, unchecked blood sugar, or an untreated infection can progress quietly and then lead to a health crisis.
Studies of cost related access problems show links between skipped care and worse health status. People who report passing up care because of cost also report more days of poor physical and mental health, more emergency visits, and higher rates of hospital stays later on.
The financial side can spiral as well. When a condition worsens, treatment often becomes more complex and expensive. A hospital stay or urgent surgery brings higher bills than regular primary care visits would have. Families may drain savings, borrow money, or fall behind on rent or other bills in order to keep up.
There is also a trust cost. When people feel that the health system punishes them with confusing or large bills, they may be slower to seek help the next time. That erosion of trust shows up across many countries where out of pocket payments rise faster than incomes.
Practical Ways To Get Needed Care When Money Is Tight
No single tactic removes all cost barriers, yet a mix of small steps can make a real difference. The right moves depend on where you live, how you get coverage, and what kind of care you need. The ideas below are general information only and do not replace advice from your own doctor or clinic.
Talk Openly About Prices With Clinics And Hospitals
Many patients feel shy about bringing up money. In practice, clear questions help both sides. Ask reception staff or billing offices about estimates before you book tests or procedures. Ask whether there are lower cost options, payment plans, or charity care policies for people who meet income limits.
During visits, you can ask doctors if a test is urgent, if there is a lower cost medicine in the same class, or if a follow up can happen by phone or video in cases where that is safe. These conversations will not erase every bill, yet they can keep some costs from rising unchecked.
Use Coverage Features That Cut Your Costs
If you have health coverage, take time to learn which services are covered at no extra charge and which come with copays. Many plans cover certain vaccines and screening tests with no extra bill. In network providers usually charge less than those who are out of network.
Pharmacies often have lists of low cost generic medications. If a brand name drug is too expensive, you can ask whether there is a generic or a different drug that treats the same condition at a lower price. Never change or stop a prescription on your own; talk with the prescribing doctor first and explain the cost problem.
Find Financial Assistance And Low Cost Clinics
Local health departments, nonprofit clinics, and hospital charity programs may offer sliding scale fees or special funds for people with low incomes. Some teaching hospitals run clinics staffed by supervised trainees, which can lower the price for patients while also training new providers.
Online search tools from public agencies or reputable charities can help you locate low fee clinics, prescription discount programs, or disease specific assistance funds. When you contact these programs, staff can usually explain eligibility rules and help with paperwork.
Plan Ahead For Big Procedures
When you know a surgery or major test is coming, planning early can reduce both stress and expense. Ask for written estimates, and check whether every part of the procedure is in network. This includes the facility, the main doctor, the anesthesiologist, and any imaging or lab work.
If you can schedule during a time when your deductible is already met, your share of the bill may be lower. You can also ask about interest free payment plans that spread the cost across several months instead of one large bill.
Stay In Touch With Care Teams
When money is tight, some people cancel follow up visits and hope symptoms fade. A short phone call or message to the clinic can open other paths. Nurses or care coordinators may suggest home monitoring, group visits, or other formats that lower costs while still keeping you connected with care.
If you lose coverage or face a job change, tell your doctor’s office as soon as you can. Staff may know about enrollment windows, public programs, or local assistance that you would not find on your own.
Simple Ways To Track And Manage Health Costs
Watching medical bills and insurance statements can feel overwhelming. Breaking tasks into smaller steps can help. A simple notebook or spreadsheet where you log dates, services, and amounts owed gives you a clearer picture of trends over time.
Make a list of regular medications, what they cost each month, and which pharmacy you use. Do the same for recurring visits, such as physical therapy or counseling. With that list in hand, you can shop for plans during enrollment periods that match your usual pattern of care.
| Step | What It Helps With | First Action To Take |
|---|---|---|
| Ask for cost estimates | Fewer surprise bills | Call the billing office before major visits |
| Use in network providers | Lower negotiated rates | Check your plan directory before booking |
| Switch to generic drugs | Smaller pharmacy bills | Ask your doctor about generic options |
| Set up payment plans | Spread large bills over time | Request written terms from the provider |
| Use low fee clinics | Reduced visit charges | Search for sliding scale clinics nearby |
| Review insurance yearly | Better match between plan and needs | Compare premiums, deductibles, and networks |
| Track bills and appeals | Catch errors and duplicate charges | Keep all statements in one folder |
Over time, many small choices can lower cost related barriers, even when broader system changes feel slow. Clear information, honest conversations about price, and steady tracking of bills give people a better chance to get care when they need it.
Policy debates on coverage, payment, and pricing continue in many countries. While those long term changes take shape, households still have to make day to day choices about visits, medicines, and tests. When you think about the question “how many people avoid healthcare due to cost?”, the numbers show a large share of the population. The next step is finding safe ways to shrink that share while protecting health and financial stability.