Being sick in the U.S. can get expensive. It could cost you everything. With bills piling up across the country, you wouldn’t be alone by turning to bankruptcy for answers.
Americans are paying twice the price for healthcare than just three decades ago. The main reason is the skyrocketing cost of insurance, and the end result is often crippling medical debt.
Unhealthy trends
It’s easy to point the finger at insurance. The costs of drugs and medical care have actually decreased over that time, down one-third in that same stretch. Meanwhile, the price of insurance has exploded 704% since 1984, despite accounting for inflation.
And even those that aren’t on independent plans are paying. Many families rely on employers for their health insurance, but that still doesn’t exempt them from growing bills. Out-of-pocket costs for households that get coverage through work have jumped 71% in the past ten years, bringing the average to a little over $6,000 every year.
Painful results
These high numbers have led to a not-so-surprising outcome: older generations are starting to feel the effects. Bankruptcy has become a go-to option for many in the upper age bracket struggling to keep up with mounting bills. The annual rate of filing in this demographic increased by 205% in the 15 years leading up to 2016, and 60% say that medical bills were the primary cause for seeking relief.
Finding a cure
Getting the care you need can be expensive, but it shouldn’t cost you everything. Bankruptcy could give you options for handling the growing pile of charges. Understanding how it can help should be one of your first steps on the road to recovery.
