Medical Debt Survey: 9 in 10 Americans with Medical Debt Say it Shouldn’t Hurt Their Credit.

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.