Best and Worst States for Healthcare Costs
Healthcare is one of the most common sources of stress for Americans. About 7 in 10 adults said they’re worried about it, according to an American Psychological Association survey — and the stress is coming from the cost.
Nearly 40% said their family has struggled to pay for medical services. Those with private insurance, like through an employer, were more likely than those with public insurance to say that the cost of care is stressful.
It’s not surprising that covering healthcare costs can create so much anxiety. The average amount that Americans spent per person on healthcare was $11,172 in 2018, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In fact, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey found the cost is so high that half of American adults said they or a family member have put off getting healthcare or dental care. Nearly one-third of respondents said they haven’t taken their prescription drugs because of the cost.
Considering that healthcare costs have such a major impact on Americans’ finances, GOBankingRates set out to see which states have the most — and least — affordable healthcare. The study analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Missouri Economic Research and Information Center on annual healthcare costs in all 50 states. GOBankingRates also factored in average hospital inpatient expenses, average annual premiums for people enrolled in employer-based health insurance plans and the median medical debt in collections for each state.
Based on the study results, you might find that care is more affordable in your state than others — or living elsewhere could help you save money on healthcare and prescription drugs.
Last updated: Dec. 30, 2019
1. West Virginia
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 87.6
Annual healthcare costs: $4,351.97
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,986
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,353
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,222
A family: $4,371
Median medical debt in collections: $621
2. Montana
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 95.1
Annual healthcare costs: $4,724.57
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,070
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,115
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,232
A family: $5,208
Median medical debt in collections: $871
3. Washington
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 118.5
Annual healthcare costs: $5,887.08
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $3,429
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $955
An employee and one eligible family member: $2,558
A family: $3,862
Median medical debt in collections: $637
4. Hawaii
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 120.3
Annual healthcare costs: $5,976.50
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,322
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $755
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,068
A family: $5,475
Median medical debt in collections: $389
5. Michigan
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 93.9
Annual healthcare costs: $4,664.95
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,318
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,433
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,383
A family: $4,280
Median medical debt in collections: $537
6. Kansas
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 98.6
Annual healthcare costs: $4,898.45
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,787
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,255
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,292
A family: $5,248
Median medical debt in collections: $586
7. Mississippi
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 91.6
Annual healthcare costs: $4,550.69
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,349
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,365
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,185
A family: $5,680
Median medical debt in collections: $747
8. Alabama
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 91.1
Annual healthcare costs: $4,525.85
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,554
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,453
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,530
A family: $5,278
Median medical debt in collections: $665
See: The Depressing Amount You’ll Spend On Healthcare If You Live To Be 100
9. North Dakota
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 111.8
Annual healthcare costs: $5,554.22
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,831
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,246
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,379
A family: $4,982
Median medical debt in collections: $631
10. Pennsylvania
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 94.4
Annual healthcare costs: $4,689.79
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,397
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,351
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,481
A family: $5,111
Median medical debt in collections: $522
11. South Carolina
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 94.7
Annual healthcare costs: $4,704.70
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,047
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,427
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,222
A family: $5,301
Median medical debt in collections: $733
12. Iowa
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 99.8
Annual healthcare costs: $4,958.06
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,558
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,592
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,688
A family: $5,143
Median medical debt in collections: $513
13. Indiana
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 96.5
Annual healthcare costs: $4,794.12
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,508
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,383
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,422
A family: $4,551
Median medical debt in collections: $733
14. Utah
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 92.7
Annual healthcare costs: $4,605.34
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $3,026
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,183
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,196
A family: $4,594
Median medical debt in collections: $882
15. Oklahoma
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 93
Annual healthcare costs: $4,620.24
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,930
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,293
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,764
A family: $5,306
Median medical debt in collections: $676
16. Nebraska
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 99.1
Annual healthcare costs: $4,923.29
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,915
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,388
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,596
A family: $5,414
Median medical debt in collections: $578
17. Wyoming
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 100.7
Annual healthcare costs: $5,002.78
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,520
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,385
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,036
A family: $5,205
Median medical debt in collections: $1,121
18. Missouri
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 98.8
Annual healthcare costs: $4,908.38
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,274
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,403
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,490
A family: $5,003
Median medical debt in collections: $707
19. South Dakota
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 102.2
Annual healthcare costs: $5,077.30
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,505
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,541
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,643
A family: $5,810
Median medical debt in collections: $489
20. Arkansas
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 86.1
Annual healthcare costs: $4,277.45
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,765
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,375
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,840
A family: $5,728
Median medical debt in collections: $700
21. Vermont
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 100.4
Annual healthcare costs: $4,987.87
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,440
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,456
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,507
A family: $5,334
Median medical debt in collections: $531
22. Idaho
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 95.6
Annual healthcare costs: $4,749.41
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $3,119
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,199
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,165
A family: $5,211
Median medical debt in collections: $807
23. Ohio
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 97.4
Annual healthcare costs: $4,838.83
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,733
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,632
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,525
A family: $5,016
Median medical debt in collections: $462
24. Illinois
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 99.9
Annual healthcare costs: $4,963.03
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,515
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,548
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,302
A family: $5,378
Median medical debt in collections: $591
25. New York
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 101.7
Annual healthcare costs: $5,052.46
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,729
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,578
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,597
A family: $5,006
Median medical debt in collections: $442
Related: This Is What a Comfortable Retirement Will Cost You in Every State
26. Kentucky
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 91.3
Annual healthcare costs: $4,535.78
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,950
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,633
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,703
A family: $5,382
Median medical debt in collections: $654
27. Colorado
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 101.6
Annual healthcare costs: $5,047.49
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,920
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,289
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,390
A family: $4,963
Median medical debt in collections: $766
28. Tennessee
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 88.5
Annual healthcare costs: $4,396.68
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,984
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,410
An employee and one eligible family member: $4,023
A family: $5,514
Median medical debt in collections: $739
29. Nevada
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 99.6
Annual healthcare costs: $4,948.13
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,985
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,355
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,219
A family: $6,252
Median medical debt in collections: $845
30. Georgia
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 95.9
Annual healthcare costs: $4,764.31
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,798
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,476
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,724
A family: $5,846
Median medical debt in collections: $810
31. New Mexico
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 98.2
Annual healthcare costs: $4,878.58
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,617
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,558
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,776
A family: $4,723
Median medical debt in collections: $775
32. North Carolina
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 110.4
Annual healthcare costs: $5,484.67
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,098
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,295
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,537
A family: $5,948
Median medical debt in collections: $716
33. Connecticut
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 111.9
Annual healthcare costs: $5,559.19
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,688
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,672
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,486
A family: $5,352
Median medical debt in collections: $429
34. Maryland
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 85.7
Annual healthcare costs: $4,257.58
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,748
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,588
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,813
A family: $6,177
Median medical debt in collections: $460
35. Delaware
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 99.7
Annual healthcare costs: $4,953.10
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $3,026
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,340
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,784
A family: $5,715
Median medical debt in collections: $538
36. Minnesota
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 110.2
Annual healthcare costs: $5,474.74
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,329
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,575
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,832
A family: $6,190
Median medical debt in collections: $342
37. Wisconsin
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 112.6
Annual healthcare costs: $5,593.97
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,501
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,596
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,468
A family: $4,952
Median medical debt in collections: $886
38. New Jersey
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 101.8
Annual healthcare costs: $5,057.42
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,632
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,598
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,615
A family: $6,253
Median medical debt in collections: $483
39. Florida
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 98.9
Annual healthcare costs: $4,913.35
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,102
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,472
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,930
A family: $5,908
Median medical debt in collections: $782
Read More: States With the Best Affordable Healthcare for Retirees
40. Maine
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 114.1
Annual healthcare costs: $5,668.49
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,357
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,461
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,896
A family: $5,375
Median medical debt in collections: $707
41. California
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 113.3
Annual healthcare costs: $5,628.74
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $3,441
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,202
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,498
A family: $5,376
Median medical debt in collections: $795
42. Oregon
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 114.8
Annual healthcare costs: $5,703.26
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $3,599
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,061
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,364
A family: $5,913
Median medical debt in collections: $784
43. New Hampshire
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 114.2
Annual healthcare costs: $5,673.46
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,597
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,618
An employee and one eligible family member: $4,066
A family: $5,535
Median medical debt in collections: $456
44. Virginia
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 97.4
Annual healthcare costs: $4,838.83
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,953
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,746
An employee and one eligible family member: $4,002
A family: $6,597
Median medical debt in collections: $582
45. Louisiana
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 97.8
Annual healthcare costs: $4,858.70
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $1,956
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,584
An employee and one eligible family member: $4,195
A family: $6,288
Median medical debt in collections: $726
46. Arizona
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 97.6
Annual healthcare costs: $4,848.77
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,641
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,554
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,857
A family: $5,786
Median medical debt in collections: $864
47. Rhode Island
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 106.6
Annual healthcare costs: $5,295.89
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,740
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,807
An employee and one eligible family member: $4,066
A family: $5,493
Median medical debt in collections: $486
48. Texas
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 95.8
Annual healthcare costs: $4,759.34
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,520
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,413
An employee and one eligible family member: $4,271
A family: $5,964
Median medical debt in collections: $850
49. Alaska
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 148.6
Annual healthcare costs: $7,382.45
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $2,947
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,154
An employee and one eligible family member: $3,524
A family: $4,501
Median medical debt in collections: $1,277
50. Massachusetts
Healthcare cost-of-living index: 123.4
Annual healthcare costs: $6,130.51
Hospital inpatient expenses per day: $3,016
Annual premium for:
A single employee: $1,903
An employee and one eligible family member: $4,035
A family: $5,693
Median medical debt in collections: $349
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Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best and worst states for healthcare costs by analyzing all 50 U.S. states along the following criteria: (1) annual healthcare costs per state, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2018 Consumer Expenditure Survey and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s Cost of Living Index Composite for the third quarter of 2019; (2) hospital inpatient expenses per day, as sourced from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s 2017 Hospital Adjusted Expenses per Inpatient Day report, taken from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey; (3) the 2018 average annual single premium per enrolled employee for employer-based health insurance, as sourced from a Kaiser Family Foundation report based on data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey; (4) the 2018 annual employee-plus-one premium per enrolled employee for employer-based health insurance, as sourced from a Kaiser Family Foundation report based on data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey; (5) the average annual family premium per enrolled employee for employer-based health insurance, as sourced from a Kaiser Family Foundation report based on data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey; and 6) the median medical debt in collections, as sourced from the Urban Institute’s Debt in America report. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being best. All data used to conduct this study was compiled and verified on Dec. 9, 2019, and is subject to change.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Best and Worst States for Healthcare Costs
