You may be using an unsupported or outdated browser. For the best possible experience, use the most recent version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. If you've ever felt the pressure of healthcare expenses, you're not alone. Unexpected medical bills and the cost of health services are the two main financial concerns for Americans this year, according to a recent KFF health monitoring survey.
The survey revealed that 45% of adults are very concerned about being able to pay unexpected medical bills, while 39% are very concerned about their ability to cover the cost of health services. However, the burden of healthcare costs is not evenly distributed across the country. In some states, residents face much higher health care expenses, such as higher premiums and deductibles, making them more likely to delay health care because of costs. The Forbes advisory team conducted a comprehensive analysis of nine metrics from two nonprofit organizations and a government database to create our report on the most and least expensive states for medical care.
Below you will find more details about the methodology of our study. Floridians may enjoy a lack of state taxes and an abundance of sunlight, but they live in a state with the highest average premium for families. When it comes to healthcare costs, a proactive approach can make a difference. Understanding what health insurance is and how to manage it can help you get the best health insurance that fits your budget and needs. Here are some practical tips for keeping those bills at bay.
First, compare prices to find the best affordable health insurance. Don't settle for the first plan you come across. Take the time to get health insurance quotes from multiple providers. This will give you a better idea of how much health insurance costs and what you can expect in terms of coverage. Next, if you're wondering how to get health insurance that's right for you, start by evaluating your health needs and risks, and then look for a plan that addresses them directly.
To do this, you'll need to consider what health insurance covers and what doesn't, and choose a plan that fits your health needs to avoid having to pay for unnecessary coverage. If you're nearing retirement age, focus on finding the best health insurance for seniors. Plans designed for older people often offer coverage that meets common health problems and needs that arise later in life. This can help you lower long-term health care costs. Remember that the biggest health insurance companies aren't always the best option for everyone. Sometimes smaller providers offer more personalized plans that may be more cost-effective for your situation.
Finally, don't overlook the consequences of not having health insurance. Not having coverage can result in significant out-of-pocket costs for medical services and emergencies. Investing in health insurance can help provide financial security in case you become ill or need surgery in the future. Featured Health Insurance Partners offers plans in all 50 states and in Washington, D.C.
Kelly Anne has more than six years of reporting and editing experience in the field of personal finance. His work has appeared in national publications such as Reader's Digest, CNBC and Forbes. He has experience in business education and a master's degree in international communication studies. Rima Cohen has spent more than three decades developing and implementing health care policies and programs that affect millions of Americans.
In the Senate of Washington, D.C., for nearly 10 years, she was an advisor to the HHS Secretary during the Obama administration during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and founder and executive director of the Aspen Institute's grant for health innovators. Rima spent more than a decade in New York working for Mayor Michael Bloomberg and leading an initiative that expanded health insurance to more of 500,000 New Yorkers. They are currently senior advisors at the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services, where they help promote Medicare administration priorities in areas such as health equity and value-based care. Reena Kelly has worked in the healthcare industry in the clinical, administrative and research fields for nearly 20 years.
She began her career in private clinical practice as a dental surgeon for nearly a decade before transitioning to the area of health care administration and management. Kelly has a master's degree in Health Administration (MHA) and a graduate certificate in Public Health from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his doctorate. In health services administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His work has been published in several peer-reviewed academic journals, and his research and teaching interests are focused on the area of strategic management and organizational behavior in healthcare organizations.
Chunhuei's experience includes funding and strengthening health systems, universal health care systems, governance of health systems and global health, equity in the financial burden of health care and access to health care, and comparing health systems and policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utah and Wyoming have the most cost-effective health care systems in the U.S. UU. The states with the best health care in the United States are those where people are generally healthier, have access to health care services, and are least likely to be uninsured.
The best states for health care are found across the country, from Hawaii to Rhode Island. That said, four of the top 10 states on our list are in the Northeast, while three are in the West. Adam McCann, financial editor of WalletHub The conditions are not uniform in the U.S. To determine where Americans receive the best and worst healthcare, WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia on 44 measures of cost, accessibility and outcomes.
Minnesota is the best state for healthcare, with the highest number of convenient care clinics per capita. It's also relatively inexpensive to get medical care in the state, as Minnesota has the fourth lowest average out-of-pocket medical expense and the sixth lowest average monthly insurance premium. In addition, the average dental visit costs less just in four other states. Rhode Island is the second best state in terms of health care, and its residents have the lowest out-of-pocket medical expenses in the country, with only 4.5% of their income.
Rhode Island also has a large number of medical professionals: it ranks third with the most doctors per capita and the fourth with the most nurses per capita, making it easier to go on time and get a second opinion. In addition, 94% of adults and 97% of children in Rhode Island have health insurance, the fourth highest percentage in the country. To top it all off, it's clear that Rhode Island residents have good access to preventive health care. Ocean State has the fourth lowest percentage of people without a routine doctor visit in the past two years and the sixth lowest percentage of people who haven't visited a dentist in the past year.
The state also has a very high childhood vaccination rate, contributing to the second lowest infant mortality rate in the country. Mount Rushmore State is especially good for people who need to go to the emergency room, ranking third among the lowest wait times in the country. In addition, only 0.3% of patients leave the emergency room without being treated, the lowest percentage in the country. People with immediate but less serious problems can also benefit from the fact that South Dakota has the second highest number of urgent care centers per capita certified by the U.S.
Urgent Care Association. To top it all off, South Dakota is one of many states that have adopted telehealth services. It also has the lowest prevalence of stroke and the fourth lowest prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the country. We evaluated those dimensions using 44 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weightings.
Each metric was rated on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the best health care at the most reasonable cost. According to the Census Bureau, nearly 92% of the U.S. population has some form of health insurance, whether through their employers, the Affordable Care Act market, or Medicaid. However, that still leaves more than 8% of Americans, or 27 million, without insurance, and access to affordable health plans may ultimately depend on the state in which a person lives. Vivian Health, a job search platform for health workers, ranked states based on their position above and below the national average coverage rate.
In Massachusetts, for example, 97.5% of the state's residents are insured, 6% higher than in the United States. In Texas, only 82% of the population is covered. These are the 10 best and worst states for health insurance coverage, according to Vivian Health. Employee Benefit News pays tribute to 25 human resources and benefits leaders, advisors and innovators who are transforming the industry.
A score of 100 represents the best health care for low-income people at the most affordable cost. Currently, more than 78.5 million people are enrolled in publicly funded health insurance for low-income people. Medicaid was intended for low-income Americans who were disabled, elderly, or caring for minors. The expansion of Medicaid allowed other low-income adults to have the opportunity to get coverage.
Savings from state-funded health insurance subsidies vary considerably from state to state, but subsidies can range from coverage and free care (for example, the Connecticut program for low-income people) to a small amount of the monthly premiums a person has to pay (for example, the New Mexico program that subsidizes members with incomes greater than 300% of the FPL).
