Percentage of older-adult families with problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months in the United States from 2017 to 2018, by family composition
Characteristic
Percentage of families
Total
8.6%
One older adult
7%
Two older adults
4%
One older adult, one younger adult
11.9%
Three or more adults, at least one older adult
15.7%
Two or more adults, at least one older adult, at least one child
21.3%
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"Children (under age 18 years), younger adults (aged 18–64) older adults (aged 65 and over)."
Question: "In the past 12 months, did [you/anyone in the family] have problems paying or were unable to pay any medical bills? Include bills for doctors, dentists, hospitals, therapists, medication, nursing homes, or home care."
Citation formats
Share of U.S. older-adult families with problems paying medical bills in 2017-2018
From 2017 to 2018, nearly 1 in 5 families comprised of two or more adults with at least one older adult and at least one child had problems paying medical bills in the past year. This statistic shows the percentage of families with older adults (aged 65 and over) with problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months in the United States from 2017 to 2018, by family composition.
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CDC. (July 15, 2020). Percentage of older-adult families with problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months in the United States from 2017 to 2018, by family composition [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from /statistics/1234685/older-adult-family-medical-bill-problem-us/
CDC. "Percentage of older-adult families with problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months in the United States from 2017 to 2018, by family composition." Chart. July 15, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 31, 2026. /statistics/1234685/older-adult-family-medical-bill-problem-us/
CDC. (2020). Percentage of older-adult families with problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months in the United States from 2017 to 2018, by family composition. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 31, 2026. /statistics/1234685/older-adult-family-medical-bill-problem-us/
CDC. "Percentage of Older-adult Families with Problems Paying Medical Bills in The past 12 Months in The United States from 2017 to 2018, by Family Composition." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 15 Jul 2020, /statistics/1234685/older-adult-family-medical-bill-problem-us/
CDC, Percentage of older-adult families with problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months in the United States from 2017 to 2018, by family composition ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1234685/older-adult-family-medical-bill-problem-us/ (last visited July 31, 2026)
Percentage of older-adult families with problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months in the United States from 2017 to 2018, by family composition [Graph], CDC, July 15, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1234685/older-adult-family-medical-bill-problem-us/
