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Medical Debt Survey: 9 in 10 Americans with Medical Debt Say it Shouldn’t Hurt Their Credit.
More than half say past-due medical bills have damaged their credit scores.
In January 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule to remove medical debt from credit reports. But that rule – and the agency behind it – are under political scrutiny, with Republican lawmakers pushing to dismantle both.
Debt.com’s latest survey suggests most Americans support the CFPB’s move. In a national poll, 91% with medical debt agree that it should be excluded from credit reports.
When asked why, 30% said: “Medical debt is often unavoidable and doesn’t reflect financial responsibility.” Among the 9% who disagreed, nearly 1 in 5 said removing the debt might encourage people to avoid paying their medical bills.
More than half (51%) say a “past medical debt has hurt their credit.” Three in ten say by 50 to 100 points, with 14% reporting a credit score drop of more than 100 points.
The survey also revealed how widespread medical debt remains – and how damaging it can be:
Half of Americans say they currently have outstanding medical bills or unpaid medical debt
59% say they’ve skipped or delayed medical care because of what they already owe
51% of those with medical debt say their accounts have been sent to collections
20% owe $10,000 or more
9% owe $50,000 or more
Over the past six years that Debt.com has conducted this survey, medical debt has remained high. Nearly 1 in 5 respondents have consistently owed more than $10,000 in medical bills.
In January 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule to remove medical debt from credit reports. Some Republican lawmakers are now challenging that rule, along with efforts to dismantle the agency itself.
Medical debt is not uncommon, nor is its impact on credit. More than 51% of people polled say they have medical debt, and 51% say a “past medical debt has hurt their credit.” As lawmakers and agency officials debate the role of medical debt in credit reporting, Americans continue to feel the pressure.
More than 59% of those with medical debt say they’ve been avoiding medical care because of their debt, further highlighting the burden this type of debt can place on people’s lives.
Half of all respondents say they currently have medical debt – but Gen X is the most affected, with 59% reporting outstanding medical bills. Gen Z follows closely at 58%, and Millennials aren’t far behind at 56%.
Amid ongoing inflation, Americans with medical debt are finding it harder than ever to pay it off.
Medical debt is disrupting goals like higher education, marriage, homeownership, or starting a family across all age groups – but Millennials are feeling the impact most.
Click here for full survey results
Do you have outstanding medical bills or medical debt?
Yes
51.32%
No
48.68%
Have your medical bills been sent to collections?
Yes
51.29%
No
32.66%
Unsure
16.05%
How much do you owe?
$250-$500
19.77%
$501-$1,000
19.48%
$1,001-$5,000
24.36%
$5,001-$10,000
16.62%
$10,001-$50,000
10.32%
$50,001-$100,000
3.15%
$100,001-$150,000
3.15%
More than $150,000
3.15%
Have you been avoiding medical care because of your debt?
Yes
59.31%
No
40.69%
Has a past medical debt hurt your credit?
Yes
51.00%
No
27.79%
Unsure
21.20%
If yes, how much did your credit score change as a result of your medical debt?
Decreased by 50 points or less.
20.12%
Decreased by more than 50 points.
16.57%
Decreased by 50 to 100 points.
30.18%
Decreased by more than 100 points.
14.20%
My credit score was unaffected.
4.14%
I don’t know.
14.79%
What type of health insurance do you have?
Employer-provided
47.85%
Medicare or Medicaid
32.09%
Self-purchased through an exchange
12.89%
None
7.16%
What is the primary source of your medical debt?
Diagnostic tests
18.34%
Hospitalization
20.92%
Emergency room
20.63%
Outpatient services
13.47%
Doctor visits
11.46%
Dental care
5.44%
Prescription drugs
4.58%
Nursing home/long-term care
0.86%
Mental health services
1.43%
Pregnancy and childbirth
2.87%
Do you believe medical debt should be excluded from credit reports?
Yes
90.83%
No
9.17%
If yes, why?
Medical debt is often unavoidable and doesn’t reflect financial responsibility.
30.19%
It creates unnecessary stress and hinders recovery.
8.77%
It is often complex and inaccurate, leading to unfair credit impacts.
10.06%
All of the above
46.75%
Other
2.27%
N/A
1.95%
If no, why?
Medical debt is a legitimate debt and should be treated as such.
16.13%
Excluding it would encourage people to avoid paying their medical bills
22.58%
Credit reports should reflect all financial obligations for accurate risk assessment
12.90%
All of the above
19.35%
N/A
29.03%
Has inflation made it harder to pay your medical bills?
Yes
86.49%
No
13.51%
How did your insurance company respond to your medical bills?
Told me I received out-of-network care
31.32%
Denied my claim
28.45%
Other – N/A
40.23%
Have you tried to negotiate to lower the cost of your bills?
Yes, I tried to negotiate on my own.
51.72%
Yes, I used a medical bills advocate.
12.07%
No
36.21%
Were you successful in this negotiation?
Yes
47.67%
No
52.33%
Are you currently on a payment plan?
Yes
52.30%
No
47.70%
Is medical debt holding you back from future life goals (pursuing higher education, getting married, buying a home, starting a family, etc.)
Yes
56.61%
No
43.39%
How has your medical debt interrupted your finances? (select all that apply)
I had to withdraw all the money in my emergency fund.
35.63%
I had to withdraw money from my retirement account.
25.86%
I took out a HELOC on my home to pay my medical bills.
10.63%
I charged the medical debt on a credit card.
25.86%
My medical debt has caused me to go further into debt with credit cards and personal loans.
22.70%
I’ve had to pick up multiple jobs to pay the medical debt.
10.06%
I can’t see a doctor until I pay down more of my medical debt.
16.67%
For full 2024 survey results, click here
Do you have outstanding medical bills or medical debt?
Yes
66%
No
34%
Have your medical bills been sent to collections?
Yes
50%
No
39%
Unsure
12%
How much do you owe in medical debt?
$250-$500
36%
$501-$1,000
13%
$1,001-$5,000
15%
$5,001-$10,000
12%
$10,001-$50,000
7%
$50,001-$100,000
4%
$101,000-$150,000
8%
More than $150,000
6%
Have you been avoiding medical care because of your debt?
Yes
52%
No
48%
What type of health insurance do you have?
Employer-provided
50%
Medicare or Medicaid
36%
Self-purchased through an exchange
8%
None
5%
What is the primary source of your medical debt?
Diagnostic tests
26%
Hospitalization
18%
Emergency room
14%
Outpatient services
10%
Doctor visits
16%
Dental care
8%
Prescription drugs
5%
Nursing home/long-term care
1%
Has inflation made it harder to pay your medical bills?
Yes
79%
No
21%
How did your insurance company respond to your medical bills?
Told me I received out-of-network care
39%
Denied my claim
20%
Other – N/A
42%
Have you tried negotiating to lower the cost of your bills?
Yes, I tried to negotiate on my own
45%
Yes, I used a medical bills advocate
12%
No
43%
Were you successful in this negotiation?
Yes
47%
No
53%
Are you currently on a payment plan?
Yes
55%
No
45%
Is your medical debt holding you back from future life goals?
Yes
55%
No
45%
How has your medical debt interrupted your finances?
I had to withdraw all the money in my emergency fund
14%
I had to withdraw money from my retirement account
11%
I took out a HELOC on my home to pay my medical bills
6%
I charged the medical debt on a credit card
28%
My medical debt caused me to go further into debt with credit cards and personal loans
20%
I’ve had to pick up multiple jobs to pay the medical debt
9%
I can’t see a doctor until I pay down more of my medical debt
11%
For 2023’s full survey results, click here
Do you have outstanding medical bills or medical debt?
Yes
49.50%
No
50.50%
Have your medical bills been sent to collections?
Yes
31.54%
No
56.39%
Unsure
12.08%
How much do you owe in medical debt?
Less than $500
55.69%
$501-$1,000
11.68%
$1,001-$5,000
15.37%
$5,001-$10,000
6.29%
$10,001-$50,000
4.59%
$50,001-$100,000
2.20%
$101,000-$150,000
2.59%
More than $150,000
1.60%
Have you been avoiding medical care because of your debt?
Yes
33.63%
No
66.37%
What type of health insurance do you have?
Employer-provided
45.41%
Medicare or Medicaid
38.62%
Self-purchased through an exchange
8.78%
None
7.19%
What is the primary source of your medical debt?
Diagnostic tests
15.47%
Hospitalization
16.87%
Emergency room
16.67%
Outpatient services
10.18%
Doctor visits
21.06%
Dental care
10.988%
Prescription drugs
7.49%
Nursing home/long-term care
1.30%
Has inflation made it harder to pay your medical bills?
Yes
66.97%
No
33.03%
How did your insurance company respond to your medical bills?
Told me I received out-of-network care
22.26%
Denied my claim
14.47%
Other – N/A
63.27%
Have you tried negotiating to lower the cost of your bills?
Yes, I tried to negotiate on my own
29.64%
Yes, I used a medical bills advocate
11.08%
No
59.28%
Were you successful in this negotiation?
Yes
31.24%
No
68.76%
Are you currently on a payment plan?
Yes
35.53%
No
64.47%
For 2022’s full survey results, click here
Do you have outstanding medical bills or medical debt?
Yes
44.46%
No
55.54%
Have your medical bills been sent to collections?
Yes
28.41%
No
61.44%
Unsure
10.15%
How much do you owe in medical debt?
Less than $500
59.23%
$501-$1,000
33.21%
$1,001-$5,000
15.68%
$5,001-$10,000
5.35%
$10,001-$50,000
2.95%
$50,001-$100,000
2.03%
$101,000-$150,000
0.92%
More than $150,000
1.11%
Have you been avoiding medical care because of your debt?
Yes
27.68%
No
72.32%
What type of health insurance do you have?
Employer-provided
45.94%
Medicare or Medicaid
36.90%
Self-purchased through an exchange
10.89%
None
6.27%
What is the primary source of your medical debt?
Diagnostic tests
15.68%
Hospitalization
14.02%
Emergency room
15.68%
Outpatient services
11.07%
Doctor visits
21.22%
Dental care
11.25%
Prescription drugs
9.23%
Nursing home/long-term care
1.85%
Has inflation made it harder to pay your medical bills?
Yes
57.38%
No
42.62%
How did your insurance company respond to your medical bills?
Told me I received out-of-network care
21.22%
Denied my claim
10.70%
Other – N/A
68.08%
Have you tried negotiating to lower the cost of your bills?
Yes, I tried to negotiate on my own
26.38%
Yes, I used a medical bills advocate
8.12%
No
65.50%
Were you successful in this negotiation?
Yes
26.20%
No
73.80%
Are you currently on a payment plan?
Yes
29.15%
No
73.80%
For 2021’s full survey results, click here
Do you have outstanding medical bills or medical debt?
Yes
50.09%
No
49.91%
Have your medical bills been sent to collections?
Yes
45.86%
No
39.47%
Unsure
14.67%
How much do you owe in medical debt?
Less than $500
20%
$501-$1,000
23.26%
$1,001-$5,000
33.72%
$5,001-$10,000
12.02%
$10,001-$50,000
6.9%
$50,001-$100,000
1.94%
$101,000-$150,000
1%
More than $150,000
1.16%
What type of health insurance do you have?
Employer-provided
37.65%
Medicare or Medicaid
45.88%
Self-purchased through an exchange
11.76%
None
4.71%
What is the primary source of your medical debt?
Diagnostic tests
23.77%
Hospitalization
18.33%
Emergency room
18.56%
Outpatient services
15.16%
Doctor visits
13.11%
Dental care
6.15%
Prescription drugs
4.10%
Nursing home/long-term care
0.82%
How did your insurance company respond to your medical bills?
Told me I received out-of-network care
14.54%
Denied my claim
13.22%
Other – N/A
72.24%
Have you tried negotiating to lower the cost of your bills?
Yes, I tried to negotiate on my own
35.32%
Yes, I used a medical bills advocate
4.25%
No
60.40%
Were you successful in this negotiation?
Yes
34.04%
No
65.96%
Are you currently on a payment plan?
Yes
34.63%
No
65.37%
For full 2020 survey results, click here
Do you have outstanding medical bills or medical debt?
Yes
45.87%
No
54.13%
Have your medical bills been sent to collections?
Yes
56.16%
No
30.78%
Unsure
13.06%
How much do you owe in medical debt?
Less than $500
13.77%
$501-$1,000
18.55%
$1,001-$5,000
31.93%
$5,001-$10,000
14.91%
$10,001-$50,000
15.30%
$50,001-$100,000
3.06%
$101,000-$150,000
0.96%
More than $150,000
1.53%
What type of health insurance do you have?
Employer-provided
43.13%
Medicare or Medicaid
36.17%
Self-purchased through an exchange
8.90%
None
11.80%
What is the primary source of your medical debt?
Diagnostic tests
21.68%
Hospitalization
24.80%
Emergency room
18.95%
Outpatient services
10.94%
Doctor visits
14.84%
Dental care
4.30%
Prescription drugs
3.71%
Nursing home/long-term care
0.78%
How did your insurance company respond to your medical bills?
Told me I received out-of-network care
55.80%
Denied my claim
44.20%
Have you tried negotiating to lower the cost of your bills?
Yes, I tried to negotiate on my own
34.55%
Yes, I used a medical bills advocate
4.94%
No
60.52%
Were you successful in this negotiation?
Yes
27.47%
No
72.53%
Methodology: Debt.com surveyed 682 people and asked 18 questions related to their medical debt. People responded from all 50 states and Washington, DC and were aged 18 and above. Responses were collected through SurveyMonkey. The survey was conducted on April 10, 2025.
Getting out of debt isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are dozens of private and government programs, and each one works best under certain circumstances. See how those options might affect you.
Step 1
How much do you owe?
$25,000
Pros and Cons
Let Debt.com Help You Choose the Best Plan
Talk to a debt relief specialist to weigh your options.
Minimum payment calculation assumes an APR of 24% on your credit card debt and each monthly payment is 3% of total amount.
Debt Consolidation
Assumes a loan APR of 16.5% over a 5- year term.
Debt Management Program
Average Interest Rate in a DMP is 8%. Actual interest rates will vary by consumer and creditor.
A DMP might be able to reduce your interest rates and late fees allowing you to pay off your credit card debt quicker (since more payments are applied to your principal balances, saving you lots of money in the long run). To complete the program, you must make on-time payments each month. Late or missed payments may cause your program to be canceled and in that event, this estimate would not apply to you.
Debt Settlement
Rates and terms vary by consumer and creditor. Debt settlement may negatively impact your credit score.
