Average Medical Debt in America (2026): Statistics by State and Age
By Wealthvieu · Updated
Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in America and affects roughly 100 million people. Here’s the full picture of medical debt in the US.
Table of Contents
Medical Debt Overview
Metric
Value
Americans with medical debt
~100 million
Total US medical debt
$220 billion
Average medical debt (among those with debt)
$2,459
Median medical debt
$850
Adults who owe more than $1,000
14 million
Adults who owe more than $10,000
3 million
Bankruptcies caused by medical debt
66.5%
Medical Debt by Age Group
Age Group
% With Medical Debt
Average Amount
18-24
24%
$1,200
25-34
36%
$2,100
35-44
42%
$3,200
45-54
44%
$3,800
55-64
39%
$3,500
65+
21%
$1,800
Medical debt peaks for those aged 45-54, when health issues become more common but before Medicare coverage begins at 65.
Medical Debt by State
State
% Adults with Medical Debt
Average Amount
Rank
Mississippi
36%
$3,200
1 (worst)
West Virginia
35%
$3,100
2
Alabama
33%
$2,900
3
Arkansas
33%
$2,800
4
Louisiana
32%
$2,900
5
Oklahoma
32%
$2,700
6
Tennessee
31%
$2,800
7
Kentucky
31%
$2,700
8
South Carolina
30%
$2,600
9
Texas
29%
$2,500
10
…
…
…
…
Hawaii
12%
$1,500
46
Massachusetts
11%
$1,400
47
Vermont
11%
$1,300
48
Minnesota
10%
$1,400
49
District of Columbia
9%
$1,200
50 (best)
States that did not expand Medicaid generally have higher rates of medical debt.
Medical Debt by Income Level
Household Income
% With Medical Debt
Average Amount
Under $25,000
46%
$2,800
$25,000-$49,999
38%
$2,600
$50,000-$74,999
30%
$2,300
$75,000-$99,999
24%
$2,100
$100,000-$149,999
18%
$1,800
$150,000+
10%
$1,500
Lower-income households are hardest hit — they’re more likely to have medical debt and less able to pay it off. See how this compares with average American debt overall.
Medical Debt by Insurance Status
Insurance Status
% With Medical Debt
Average Debt
Uninsured
53%
$4,200
Medicaid
30%
$1,800
Employer insurance
28%
$2,200
ACA marketplace
34%
$2,600
Medicare
18%
$1,500
Even with insurance, high deductibles, copays, and out-of-network charges leave millions with significant medical bills.
Most Common Causes of Medical Debt
Cause
% of Medical Debt Cases
Hospital stays / surgery
40%
Emergency room visits
25%
Chronic condition management
15%
Pregnancy and childbirth
10%
Dental procedures
7%
Mental health treatment
3%
For the cost of specific medical events, see our guide on the cost of having a baby.
While the average amount is lower than other debts, medical debt is unique because it’s usually unexpected and involuntary.
Recent Changes to Medical Debt Rules
Change
When
Impact
Medical debt under $500 removed from credit reports
2023
Helped ~40 million Americans
Paid medical collections removed from credit reports
2023
Immediate score improvement for millions
1-year waiting period before reporting
2023
More time to resolve bills or dispute errors
CFPB proposed ban on medical debt in credit reports
2024
Would remove all medical debt from credit scoring
No Surprises Act
2022
Protects against many surprise out-of-network bills
How to Deal With Medical Debt
Strategy
Details
Verify the bill
30-80% of medical bills contain errors — always request itemized bills
Negotiate directly
Hospitals often reduce bills by 25-50% for uninsured or financial hardship
Apply for financial assistance
Non-profit hospitals are required to offer charity care programs
Set up a payment plan
Most providers offer interest-free payment plans
Check for state protections
Many states limit medical debt collection practices
Consider medical credit cards carefully
0% intro offers can help, but deferred interest is risky
Bottom Line
Medical debt remains a massive burden for American families. If you’re dealing with medical bills, always verify charges, negotiate directly, and explore financial assistance before the debt goes to collections. Building an emergency fund is one of the best defenses against unexpected medical costs.
