One-third of American families are struggling to pay medical bills, according to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Data for the first six months of 2011 found that one in five families has difficulty paying medical bills, while one in four pays bills over time and one in 10 can't pay bills at all. Among people with private insurance, approximately 16 percent had trouble paying medical bills and 6 percent couldn't pay at all.
People over 65 are least likely to be financially burdened by medical care, while people without insurance have the highest burden. Race was also a factor: About 10 percent of blacks and 7 percent of Hispanics could not pay their medical bills, compared to less than 3 percent of whites.
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Data for the first six months of 2011 found that one in five families has difficulty paying medical bills, while one in four pays bills over time and one in 10 can't pay bills at all. Among people with private insurance, approximately 16 percent had trouble paying medical bills and 6 percent couldn't pay at all.
People over 65 are least likely to be financially burdened by medical care, while people without insurance have the highest burden. Race was also a factor: About 10 percent of blacks and 7 percent of Hispanics could not pay their medical bills, compared to less than 3 percent of whites.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing & Collections:
Oregon Lawmakers Approve Plans for Health Insurance Exchange
GOP Governors Hesitate on Health Insurance Exchange
American Medical Association Posts Further Corrections to CPT 2012