The Most (And Least) Expensive States For Healthcare 2024

from Forbes Advisor, March, 2024

Unexpected medical bills and the cost of healthcare services are the top two financial worries for Americans this year, according to a recent KFF health tracking poll.

The high cost of healthcare is leading some Americans to make tough choices—often at the expense of their health. In fact, a survey from The Commonwealth Fund found that nearly two in five adults between the ages of 19 and 64 delayed or skipped healthcare services between 2022 and 2023 due to cost.

In some states, residents face lower healthcare expenses, which make them less likely to delay medical care due to costs. So, which states are the most affordable for healthcare? 

To find out, Forbes Advisor compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C. across nine key metrics. We found that Hawaii tops the list of most affordable states for healthcare. 

Hawaii -- Most Affordable State For Healthcare

Hawaii’s score: 0 out of 100

Hawaii sets the benchmark for having the most affordable healthcare in the U.S. It earned a perfect score of 0 on our healthcare cost ranking index and boasts the lowest percentages and costs in several key metrics:

• Hawaii records the lowest percentage of adults who chose not to see a doctor at some point in the past 12 months due to cost (5.7%).
• It also has the lowest percentage of adults reporting 14 or more mentally unhealthy days a month who could not see a doctor due to cost (11.6%).
• Hawaii boasts the lowest average premium for residents with single health insurance coverage through an employer ($911 annually).
• It also has the lowest average deductible for residents with single health insurance coverage through an employer ($1,310 annually).
• Hawaii has the second lowest percentage of children whose families struggled to pay for their child’s medical bills in the past 12 months (5.7%).
• Hawaii residents with family health insurance coverage through an employer pay the second lowest average deductible ($3,115 annually).
• Hawaii has the third lowest average premium for residents with plus-one health insurance coverage through an employer ($3,654.67 annually).
• It boasts the fourth lowest average premium for residents with family health insurance coverage through an employer ($5,373.67 annually).

Find the full report, including the methodology and infographics, here.