KFF Survey Shows High Health Care Costs Are Making Americans Postpone Treatment and Struggle With Bills

Nearly 3 in 10 U.S. adults put off or skipped needed health care because they could not afford it over the past year, according to a recent KFF analysis. The same report found that 43% changed how they used prescription medicines in order to save money.

The findings highlight how medical costs are influencing decisions about treatment, prescriptions, and day-to-day spending. Even people with insurance can still face premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket charges, sometimes forcing households to choose between medical care and other essentials.

That financial strain can create problems beyond an unpaid bill. When people delay appointments, fail to fill prescriptions, or take less medication than prescribed, their conditions may worsen and future care can become harder to manage.

Cost Barriers Affect Both Insured and Uninsured Adults

KFF's analysis of recent polling found that 28% of adults skipped or postponed needed care because of cost in the previous 12 months. Among uninsured adults younger than 65, that share climbed to 62%.

Coverage does not fully solve the issue. Roughly 30% of insured adults ages 18 to 64 also said they had skipped or delayed needed care because of expense, showing that having insurance does not always mean care is affordable.

Another Commonwealth Fund survey reported that 50% of working-age adults had avoided or gone without needed care because of cost, up from 46% in 2022. That survey included people who did not fill prescriptions, skipped recommended tests or treatment, avoided doctor visits, or went without needed specialist care.

Because the surveys used different questions and methods, the results are not directly comparable. Even so, both point to affordability as a major barrier to care.

Insurance can help shield people from large medical bills, but deductibles, copayments, and services that are not fully covered can still leave patients with significant expenses. People with chronic conditions may face extra pressure because they often need regular visits, tests, and medication instead of occasional treatment.

Prescription Costs Lead Some People to Change How They Take Medicine

Affording prescription drugs is another major concern. KFF's polling found that 43% of adults had not taken medication as prescribed because of cost during the previous year, according to its report on public opinion about prescription drugs and prices.

That total includes several behaviors. About 31% said they used an over-the-counter medicine instead of filling a prescription, 27% did not fill a prescription because it was too expensive, and 19% split pills or skipped doses to save money.

Changing a prescribed treatment without medical advice can be risky. An over-the-counter product may not work the same way as a prescription drug, while skipping doses or taking less than directed can interfere with disease control.

The burden appears especially heavy for lower-income households. KFF found that 52% of adults in households earning less than $40,000 a year had used at least one of these cost-saving strategies, compared with 30% of those earning $90,000 or more.

Uninsured adults also reported more trouble affording medicine. Among adults under 65, 58% without insurance had used at least one cost-saving measure, compared with 43% of those with coverage, according to KFF's analysis. The findings suggest that prescription costs can shape treatment decisions even before a patient receives a medical bill.

Medical Bills Can Compete With Food and Other Necessities

For some households, health care expenses affect more than the ability to see a doctor or buy medicine.

KFF reported that 22% of adults had trouble paying medical bills, or were unable to pay them, in the previous 12 months. About 14% said they had cut back on basic household spending, including food or clothing, to cover health care costs.

Medical debt can continue to weigh on families long after treatment is over. A separate Urban Institute analysis found that 26.6% of adults said they or their family members owed medical debt in December 2025. More than 15% reported past-due medical bills or bills they could not pay.

The Urban Institute used a different survey and a different measurement period than KFF, so the figures are not directly comparable. Taken together, though, the results show how medical costs can become a lasting financial burden.

Families may respond by dipping into savings, borrowing money, putting off other purchases, or reducing essential spending. Those choices can add stress when households are already juggling housing, food, transportation, and utility costs.

Delaying Care Can Also Affect Health

Skipping treatment may seem like a way to avoid an immediate expense, but it can also delay diagnosis or the management of a health problem.

KFF found that 15% of adults said their health had gotten worse after skipping or delaying care for any reason, including cost. Among adults with multiple health conditions, that share rose to 27%.

These survey results do not prove that financial barriers alone caused every reported decline. Other factors may also play a role, and the findings rely on respondents' own accounts of their experiences.

Federal data still reinforce the concern. The Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker reported that 17% of adults in 2024 delayed or went without medical care, mental health care, or prescription medication because of cost. Its analysis also found that uninsured adults were more than twice as likely as insured adults to report these barriers.

People worried about the cost of treatment can ask clinicians about lower-cost alternatives, generic drugs, or payment plans before putting off care. Pharmacists may also help compare prescription options, and eligible Medicare beneficiaries can look into the federal Extra Help program for help with drug costs.

Patients should let their health care providers know when a medication or recommended service is unaffordable. They should not change doses or stop treatment without professional guidance.

The KFF findings show that health care affordability remains a real obstacle for many Americans, including those with insurance. Whether people can get the care they need without sacrificing other essentials will continue to be an important measure of how well the health system serves them.

Key Questions Answered

1. How many Americans delayed or skipped needed health care because of cost?

KFF found that 28% of adults postponed or skipped needed care because of cost in the past 12 months.

2. How many adults changed how they took medication because of cost?

About 43% reported at least one cost-related change in how they used medication, including not filling prescriptions, switching to over-the-counter products, or skipping doses.

3. Are insured Americans also affected by high medical costs?

Yes. About 30% of insured adults ages 18 to 64 said they skipped or postponed needed care because of cost, according to KFF.

4. How do medical bills affect household budgets?

KFF found that 14% of adults had cut back on basic household expenses, such as food or clothing, to pay for health care.

5. Can delaying treatment affect a person's health?

It can. KFF found that 15% of adults said their health worsened after skipping or delaying care for any reason. The share was higher among people with multiple health conditions.

6. What can patients do if they cannot afford prescriptions?

They can ask their prescriber or pharmacist about generic alternatives, lower-cost treatment options, and assistance programs. Medicare beneficiaries who qualify may get help through Extra Help.

7. Does having health insurance guarantee affordable treatment?

No. Premiums, deductibles, copayments, and uncovered services can still create financial barriers, even for people with insurance.