2021 National Health Costs at $12,914 per person

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2021 National Health Costs at $12,914 per person

National Health Costs for 2021 reached an estimated level of $12,914 per capita (per person). Which means every man, woman and child spent on average, over $35 EACH DAY (either through insurance, out-of-pocket costs or taxes) to pay for America’s healthcare. This represented 18.3 percent of GDP, $4.3 trillion. Total health spending increased 2.7% in 2021. However, the percent of GDP devoted to health declined by 1.4 points from 2020. This is due to the overall economy growing 10.7% during the year, resulting in healthcare taking up a smaller proportion. Federal government spending on healthcare went down 3.5%, compared to nearly 37% growth during the first year of the pandemic. Federal COVID-19 supplemental funding went down almost 63% from 2020.

Medicare spending grew 8.4%,compared to 3.6% in 2020. Medicaid growth was 9.2%, similar to 9.3% in 2020. Private insurance increased by 5.8%, partly due to higher enrollment. Out of pocket increased by 10.4% as people returned to using services during 2021. Dental spending rose 16.1% in 2021. Retail prescription drug spending was up another 7.8%. Nursing home and retirement community spending declined by 7.9%. CMS data published December 2022.