Who Pays for Health Care

Over the last 40 years, consumers paid less out of their pocket for deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. Insurance, both public and private, make up the difference by picking up more of the health care tab.

Consumer Out-of-Pocket Expenses Have Declined While Medical Expenditures Have Increased

Source: Office of the Actuary, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); BLS; MEPS Survey of Medical Expenditures; 2002 is estimate through 10/2002

Who's paying for health care? The government and private insurance pays for over 80% of health care expenses. Consumer out-of-pocket payments account for only 15% of the national health care bill.