Healthcare keeps getting more expensive. And for many Americans choosing between covering their bills or getting care, the choice is clear: Skip the doctor to pay the debt.
Some 26% of adults with debt have skipped or delayed care to make a debt payment, according to Accredited Debt Relief’s 2026 Debt Impact Survey of 2,000 U.S. adults carrying debt. The finding suggests that for many households, what they owe has begun to shape a decision most people would rather not have to weigh: whether they can afford to seek care.
But this choice can be risky. Delaying care to cover a bill can push a manageable condition toward a more serious and more expensive one: Nearly one in five adults (18%) said their health got worse after skipping or delaying care, according to KFF. And the debt itself carries a mental toll that compounds the strain. Both trace back to the same root: the rising cost of care.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 (26%) canceled or postponed a medical appointment to make a debt payment.
- Nearly half (47%) say debt has directly hurt their mental health.
- 67% feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed because of their debt — and only 12% say their daily life is unaffected.
Why People Face this Choice
Medical prices have far outpaced the rest of the economy. Since 2000, they’ve risen 121.3%, compared with 86.1% for consumer goods and services overall, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data compiled by the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. Households feel it through their coverage: for the 154 million people with employer insurance, the average single-coverage deductible reached $1,886 in 2025, up 43% over the past decade, per KFF’s 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey.
Against a typical full-time worker’s roughly $65,000 in annual earnings, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, that adds up: a single worker can owe about $3,300 in premium contributions and deductible before most coverage even kicks in. So when an unexpected bill lands on top, something has to give. Some people look into options for handling medical debt before the balance grows. Others go a different route — they put off the care they need.
When a Bill Comes Before a Doctor’s Visit
Of the individuals surveyed, 26% of debt-carrying adults said they’d canceled or postponed medical care to make a debt payment.
Covering a bill instead of making an appointment can seem like a reasonable tradeoff in the moment, but delaying healthcare can create bigger, more expensive problems down the road. A postponed checkup or a delayed follow-up can let a small problem grow, turning what might have been a low-cost visit into a larger bill or prolonged medical intervention. It’s a delicate balancing act, but the truth is that both choices can have health consequences when someone is in significant debt.
Debt Is Now a Factor in Seeking Healthcare
New survey data show that, for many adults, debt payments are starting to outweigh doctor visits.
Debt Is Changing Health Decisions
The Full Picture
Share of debt-carrying adults who say each of the following is true for them
The bottom line: for most people carrying debt, the strain isn’t staying in their finances — it’s following them into the doctor’s office and into their day-to-day wellbeing.
Debt’s Toll Doesn’t Stop at the Wallet
People who choose to get care — even if that means falling behind on bills — can still experience an impact on their health. In fact, 47% of respondents said their debt has had a direct negative effect on their mental health, and 67% said their debt leaves them feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. Only 12% said it has no effect on their daily life at all — a reminder that for the vast majority, debt is something they carry with them, not just a line on a statement.
The two findings feed each other. Money stress can make people put off care, and putting off care can deepen the very worries driving the stress — a connection between debt and mental health that researchers and clinicians have documented for years.
How to Regain Balance
Debt that shapes whether someone sees a doctor is worth treating as more than a budgeting issue. Left unaddressed, it can take a real toll on mental health. But there’s a way to take control of unaffordable payments, and find financial balance between needs and obligations. At Accredited Debt Relief, we help people in debt find a faster path out of debt — and our approach even helps clients lock in significant savings on their monthly payments.
If you’re weighing the decision to pay bills or take care of your health, you’re not alone. We’re here to listen and provide options. Connect with a specialist to chat, get a free, no-obligations savings estimate and discover how quickly you could restore balance to your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About Debt and Healthcare
Are people really skipping medical care because of debt?
Some are. 26% of U.S. adults with debt said they canceled or postponed a medical appointment to make a debt payment, according to the Accredited Debt Relief 2026 Debt Impact Survey. It points to a trade-off between keeping up with what they owe and getting care when they need it.
How is debt affecting people’s mental health?
According to Accredited Debt Relief’s 2026 Debt Impact Survey, nearly half of respondents (47%) said their debt has had a direct negative effect on their mental health. More broadly, 67% said it leaves them stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, and only 12% reported no impact on their daily life.
What can someone do if debt is keeping them from care or weighing on their mind?
Facing the number is often the hardest part. Nathan Astle, a certified financial therapist at Beyond Finance, urges people to lead with self-compassion rather than shame — “We don’t kick ourselves upwards,” as he puts it — and to be honest about where they stand before building a plan. In practice, that starts with saying the full amount out loud to someone you trust: a friend, a family member or a professional. Getting a free, no-obligation savings estimate from Accredited Debt Relief takes just a few minutes, and checking won’t affect your credit.
Source and Citation
All primary figures are from the Accredited Debt Relief 2026 Debt Impact Survey, conducted by Drive Research (n = 2,000 U.S. adults with unsecured debt; ±2% margin of error; published June 2026). https://www.accrediteddebtrelief.com/debt-impact-survey/
“2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey.” KFF, October 22, 2025. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/2025-employer-health-benefits-survey/
“How does medical inflation compare to inflation in the rest of the economy?” Bureau of Labor Statistics & Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. August 2, 2024. https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-does-medical-inflation-compare-to-inflation-in-the-rest-of-the-economy/
“Usual Weekly Earnings Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 21, 2026. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/wkyeng.nr0.htm
“Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs.” KFF, April 30, 2026. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/americans-challenges-with-health-care-costs/
The information on this site is provided as a general resource and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. While we strive to ensure accuracy, this content, including any third-party sources referenced, should not be the basis for any financial decision. For guidance specific to your situation, we recommend consulting a qualified professional.