AHRQ Stats

Only 7 percent of Americans were hospitalized in 2010, but the average expense per hospital stay was almost $18,000. (Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, MEPS Statistical Brief #396, National Health Care Expenses for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 2010.)

STATISTICAL BRIEF #396:
National Health Care Expenses in the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 2010

January 2013

Kelly Carper, MEd and Steven R. Machlin, MS

Overall, the mean and median expenses of persons with any health care expenses in 2010 (84.6 percent of the population) were $4,839 and $1,239, respectively.
In 2010, hospital inpatient expenses and ambulatory care each accounted for approximately one-third of total expenses for the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population, while prescribed medicines accounted for just over one-fifth of total expenses.
In 2010, private insurance paid for 40.1 percent of total expenses; Medicare paid 25.7 percent, individuals and family members paid 14.2 percent out of pocket, and Medicaid/CHIP paid 10.4 percent.
The mean of health care expenses for persons age 65 and older with expenses was more than 2.5 times the amount for persons under age 65 with expenses ($10,274 versus $3,866).
Among persons under age 65 with some expenses, the mean expenses for those who had public insurance only ($4,474) or any private insurance ($3,914) were higher than for the uninsured ($2,381).