Americans Face Problems Paying Medical Bills Despite Health Insurance
The Californer/10079403

LOS ANGELES - Californer -- A report provides information on Americans who are experiencing problems paying medical bills. The National Center for Health Statistics report looked at persons under age 65.

Some 16.0% (43.3 million) persons under age 65 were in families having problems paying medical bills. The report shared latest data for the first six months of 2017. The percentage declined from 21.3% (56.5 million) in 2011.

"The most significant finding is that many of the people had private health insurance," says Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.  "People forget that health insurance policies still come with costs and the policies don't cover everything. Have a significant health issue and many can expect financial issues and even face an individual or family into bankruptcy."

The percentage of persons under age 65 with private health insurance coverage who were in families having problems paying medical bills decreased from 14.9% in 2011 to 12.3% in the first 6 months of 2017.  This was the latest data analyzed by the CDC.

According to the CDC study, the percentage of "not-poor" persons under age 65 who were in families having problems paying medical bills decreased, from 15.2% in 2011 to 12.0% in the first 6 months of 2017. The study used three categories including "near poor", "poor" and "not poor". Not poor have incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

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The survey data is based on the following question. In the past 12 months did you/anyone in the family have problems paying or were unable to pay any medical bills? Include bills for doctors, dentists, hospitals, therapists, medication, equipment, nursing home, or home care. The data was based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian non institutionalized population.

"Health insurance is great but it's not enough if you ever have a serious illness," explains Slome, AACII's head. "Everyone between 35 and 60 needs to do some supplemental health planning which includes learning more about what is critical illness insurance?"  One can find that info at https://criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org/consumers/what-is-critical-illness-insurance/.

To learn more visit the Association's website at https://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org