The most expensive & least expensive states for healthcare
Healthcare costs have continued rising over the last several years, but prices vary throughout the United States.
In fact, some states have significantly higher health premiums and have seen costs rise faster than other areas. In 2020, healthcare costs averaged $10,000 per person, though South Dakota takes the cake as the most expensive state for healthcare, according to a recent ranking from Forbes.
Overall, the eastern part of the country includes the most expensive healthcare costs, including five of the 10 most expensive states–– West Virginia, Florida, Maine, Delaware and New Hampshire. Alternatively, the western part of the U.S. contains some of the least expensive states, including Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, New Mexico and Oregon.
While costs varied, a significant portion––44%––of Americans consider a $1,000 medical bill to be unaffordable. And many Americans have delayed care due to unaffordability, including 27% who said they have delayed a doctor’s visit, 19% delayed a medical procedure and 19% avoided a prescription refill.
Forbes looked at all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and compared them on 11 metrics, based on data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, to create its ranking.
Here are the top 5 most expensive states for healthcare:
- South Dakota
- Louisiana
- West Virginia
- Florida
- Wyoming
Over a five-year period, South Dakota had the third-highest increase in overall health spending per person, with costs rising almost 25%. In addition, the state had the sixth highest annual health insurance premium ($7,156) for those with plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
By comparison, Wyoming had the highest insurance premiums on the ACA marketplace, reaching $9,620. That’s $1,400 more than the next highest average premium, in Alaska.
Here are the top 5 least expensive states for healthcare in the U.S.:
- Michigan
- Washington
- Nevada
- Hawaii
- New Mexico
Michigan is the least expensive state in the U.S. for healthcare, with the five-year increase in cost at 13.67%. The state also has one of the lowest average health insurance premiums on the ACA marketplace ($4,092), with only Minnesota, Rhode Island and New Hampshire residents who pay lower premiums.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."