The Burden of Medical Debt: Results from the Kaiser Family Foundation/New York Times Medical Bills Survey

Appendix 1: Reported Problems Paying Medical Bills By Demographic Group

Group Percent who say they or someone in their household had problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months
Total 26%
Insurance status Uninsured 53
Employer coverage 19
Non-group coverage 22
Medicaid 18
Deductible level (among those with employer or non-group coverage Private insurance, high deductible1 26
Private insurance, lower deductible 15
Annual household income Less than $50,000 37
$50,000-$99,999 26
$100,000 or more 14
Disability prevents from participating fully in work, school, housework, other activities Yes 47
No 22
Self-reported health status Fair/poor 45
Excellent/very good/good 22
Receiving regular medical treatment for any chronic health problem Yes 34
No 23
Gender Male 23
Female 29
Age 18-29 31
30-49 24
50-64 25
Children in household Yes 29
No 24
Education High school or less 32
Some college 30
College graduate 16
Race/ethnicity White, non-Hispanic 24
Black, non-Hispanic 31
Hispanic 32
Other/mixed race 25
Census Region Northeast 18
Midwest 23
South 32
West 26
Conclusion Survey Methodology

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