Access & Affordability

Employee out-of-pocket health insurance contributions as a share of median income

Employee total potential out-of-pocket medical costs (premium contribution + deductible) as a share of state median income

About this data measure

  • Health care costs and high cost-sharing requirements are a top concern for many Americans as very high out-of-pocket expenses may have dangerous consequences including poor medication adherence and treatment delays for some diseases. (Source: The Commonwealth Fund)
  • While there was an increase from 2020 to 2021, employee total out-of-pocket medical costs as a share of median income has decreased since 2018.
  • Disaggregated data are needed to understand disparities in health insurance costs by race and ethnicity and socioeconomic levels.

Measure Source: MEPS-IC (AHRQ) and CPS ASEC, accessed via Commonwealth Fund

Employee total out-of-pocket health insurance contributions as a share of median income over time