How Much Does Healthcare Cost in the USA? (2024)

How do the high average cost of healthcare in the U.S. impact the price of common medical procedures and treatments? Let’s look at the cost of an MRI, a frequently used diagnostic tool. All costs listed are from the most recent survey by International Federation of Health Plans, done in 2017. It's important to note that the costs listed below are lower than current U.S. prices; as noted earlier in this article, United States healthcare costs have gone up significantly since 2017.

The average cost of an MRI in the United States, according to the 2017 report, is $1,430. In Holland it's $190 while in New Zealand the price falls in the middle at $750.

The average cost of an angioplasty, which inserts a stent in a blocked blood vessel, was $32,200 in the United States at the time of the report. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, famous for both its high cost of living and its near-perfect health care standards, it's only $7,400.

When you take all of these into account, a common malady among travelers like abdominal pain suddenly becomes very costly. It will require diagnostic imaging and 24 hours of observation, which as discussed above is astronomically expensive. This is just for the diagnosis. Add in treatment and care, and the price goes up further. You can see why the average cost of a hospital stay in the U.S. is so high.

If that abdominal pain is found to be caused by an inflamed appendix that requires immediate surgery, it will cost you an average of $15,200 in the United States, according to the 2017 report. If you are in cost-friendly South Africa, it will be a meager $3,200. On the other hand, things will be a bit more expensive in the UK at $5,100 - that is still over $10,000 less expensive than getting the same treatment in the United States!

On the more dramatic end of the scale, both in terms of pricing and health risks, a bypass operation costs an average of $78,100 in the United States. In The Netherlands, it will cost only $11,700, according to the 2017 report. Either way, the cost of the operation is still far too expensive than what the average person can afford. Getting treated in The Netherlands, however, will be far less likely to cause medical bankruptcy compared to when you undergo the same procedure in the USA.

How Much Does Healthcare Cost in the USA? (2024)

FAQs

How much does healthcare cost in the US per month? ›

Monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans vary by state and can be reduced by premium tax credits. The average national monthly health insurance cost for one person on an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan without premium tax credits in 2024 is $477.

How much does it cost to see a doctor in the USA with insurance? ›

You have met your deductible, you will be responsible for the amount of copay stated on your plan, the current average copay for a primary care visit is $37 nationwide and could be as high as $117 per visit. For specialist visits, the current average copay is $69 but could be as high as $200 per visit.

How much does the US spend on healthcare? ›

The data are presented by type of service, sources of funding, and type of sponsor. U.S. health care spending grew 4.1 percent in 2022, reaching $4.5 trillion or $13,493 per person. As a share of the nation's Gross Domestic Product, health spending accounted for 17.3 percent. For additional information, see below.

Why is US healthcare so expensive? ›

There are many possible reasons for that increase in healthcare prices: The introduction of new, innovative healthcare technology can lead to better, more expensive procedures and products. The complexity of the U.S. healthcare system can lead to administrative waste in the insurance and provider payment systems.

What happens if you can't afford healthcare in America? ›

If you do not have health insurance, Covered California can help you determine if you qualify for Medi-Cal or federal subsidies, and can provide you with coverage options and plan costs. You can contact Covered California by phone at (800) 300-1506, TTY: (888) 889-4500 or by visiting their website at www.coveredca.com.

How much is Obamacare a month for a single person? ›

How much does the average person pay for Obamacare? Obamacare costs an average of $584 per month for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. Your age affects your monthly rates. A 20-year-old pays an average of $443 per month for a Silver plan, while a 60-year-old pays an average of $1,240 per month, before subsidies.

How expensive is healthcare in the US without insurance? ›

Those uninsured for part of the year and with either private or public coverage part of the year had estimated per capita expenditures that ranged from $1,331 for those with private coverage for 5 or fewer months to $2,511 for those with public coverage for between 6 and 11 months.

What do most Americans pay for health insurance? ›

Average annual health insurance premiums in 2023 are $8,435 for single coverage and $23,968 for family coverage. These average premiums each increased 7% in 2023. The average family premium has increased 22% since 2018 and 47% since 2013.

What country has the most expensive health care? ›

The United States: the world's highest medical expenses

The United States has the most expensive healthcare system of any country. A medical consultation with a general practitioner costs, on average, $190 or around €170.

How many Americans don't have health insurance? ›

The Share of Americans without Health Insurance in 2022 Matched a Record Low. In 2022, 26 million people — or 7.9 percent of the population – were uninsured, according to a report in September 2023 from the Census Bureau.

Who pays for healthcare in the US? ›

Federal taxes fund public insurance programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and military health insurance programs (Veteran's Health Administration, TRICARE).

How much is a doctor's appointment in the USA? ›

An initial consultation with a doctor will cost around $100 - $200. Visits to specialists are typically more expensive depending on their specialty and the nature of your visit. On average, specialists will charge $250 or more for a consultation.

How much is a doctors appointment in the US without insurance? ›

The cost of a primary care visit without insurance generally ranges from $150-$300 for a basic visit and averages $171 across major cities in the United States. For any additional services such as childhood and adult immunizations, lab testing, or prescriptions, there will be additional charges.

What happens if a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance? ›

Seek Emergency Care When Necessary

In life-threatening medical situations, don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency room. Medical providers are required by law to stabilize patients in emergency situations regardless of their insurance status.

Why is it so expensive to see a doctor in the US? ›

There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of healthcare in the country. These include wasteful systems, rising drug costs, medical professional salaries, profit-driven healthcare centers, the type of medical practices, and health-related pricing.

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