The Cost of Medical Care

When uninsured people end up in the hospital, “sticker shock” can follow. Just a quick look at the current prices for medical procedures can be sobering.

How much does a CT scan cost? Between $300-$7,000, depending on where it is performed. Need a stent in your heart? The cost of that delicate procedure can cost between $20,000-$60,000+. How about a knee replacement? The total cost adds up to an average of $25,000.^1,2,3

Are these the only costs associated with a hospital or outpatient visit? Not quite. Think of the cost of the room, the medications, the anesthesia. Fortunately, many Americans have health coverage, so they only have to pay a fraction of the expenses linked to these and other procedures. Those without health coverage may find themselves in financial pain.

These days, you may take a big financial risk if you go without health insurance. Just one accident, one surprise trip to the hospital, and you may be left with a debt rivaling an auto loan.

If you need to pay for your own health coverage, the cost may be well worth it. Imagining that you can go without it for the next five or ten years may not be realistic, even if you are a millennial or a member of Generation Z just leaving college. You might have a five-figure debt already; could you handle another one, perhaps with little or no warning?

Just how much does it cost to self-insure? According to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, the average cost of a benchmark Silver health insurance plan for 2025 is $625 per month. That works out to $7,500 per year. From 2025 to 2026, average health insurance premiums rose 21% nationwide. As for subsidies, the average Marketplace premium after tax credits is projected to be $50 per month for the lowest-cost plan in 2026 for eligible enrollees, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.^4,5,6

You can choose to put off paying a few thousand dollars a year for health insurance, but in doing so, you are also choosing to assume a great financial risk. A major medical procedure can cost as much as a new car, or a college education.

Keep in mind this article is for informational purposes only. It's not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your financial or healthcare professional before modifying your insurance strategy.

If you are uninsured, take some time to look at your choices with someone who knows the insurance market. Do it today, as you never know what tomorrow could bring.

1. Bettercare.com, April 11, 2025

2. BillKarma.app, April 5, 2026

3. CareCostIndex.com, April 16, 2026

4. HealthSystemTracker.org January 14, 2026

5. CMS.gov April 10, 2026

6.ValuePenguin.com January 26, 2026

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