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North Carolina Has Some Of The Highest Percentages Of Medical Debt In The Nation

Author Melanie Day
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According to a new report from HelpAdvisor.com a large portion of North Carolina residents currently have medical debt they are struggling to pay. The researchers are HelpAdvisor.com compiled a report of the counties in the US with the highest percentages of residents who have medical debt in collections. And not only did Lenoir County North Carolina top the list with 43.8% of residents having medical debt in collections, 4 NC counties were in the top 10. And 13 were in the top 50. In contrast, only 3 South Carolina counties made the list. The national average? was 15.4%. A total of 20.3% of North Carolinians have medical debt.

The following NC Counties made the list of the highest percentage of medical debt:

  • 1. Lenoir County (43.%)
  • 2. Greene County (43.8%)
  • 4. Anson County (42.8%)
  • 7. Tyree County (39.8%)
  • 11. Hertford County (37.7%)
  • 12. Duplin County (37.7%)
  • 14. Cleveland County (37.3%)
  • 17. Scotland County (37.1%)
  • 18. Edgecombe County (37.0%)
  • 31. Bertie County (34.7%)
  • 34. Pitt County (34.5%)
  • 45. Robeson County (33.3%)
  • 50. Gates County (32.7%)

That 15.4% of Americans with medical debt mentioned above, equates to 1 in 6. People can disagree on how to fix the healthcare system but I think it’s very obvious that the current structure is failing. I know personally I have a good portion of my check taken out each month, only to have to pay an obscene amount to reach a deductible (that thankfully I have never reached), to receive any benefit from insurance. That again, I pay outrageous amounts for and is essentially useless outside of one primary care visit. So I can completely understand how even the most routine of things can result in medical debt.

Another interesting fact from this research is that in 47 counties in the US, at least a third of the population has medical debt in collections. The only state that had more counties in the top 50 than NC was Texas. You can read more details on the study and methodology here.

A, B, and C Hospital Safety Grades Here's How North Carolina Hospitals Scored

No one likes going to the hospital. Many times you don’t plan on it either. But when you need to go, you want the absolute best care you can receive. And you certainly want that experience to be safe. That’s why The LeapFrog Group has made it the company’s mission to help you make the best decisions regarding your health care. For over 20 years  they have “collected, analyzed, and published hospital data on safety and quality in order to push the health care industry forward.” This puts a sense of transparency into the healthcare industry leading to higher quality of care and hospitals making “giant leaps forward in the safety, quality, and affordability.”

And The LeapFrog Group just released its 2023 Hospital Safety Grades. They have ranked each hospital in the nation as either an A, B, C. You can read the full methodology on these scores here. Most of the Charlotte area hospitals received A grades though a few did receive B and even C grades. Does this mean you won’t get good care? No. But it’s information consumers have a right to know. All grades are the determination of The LeapFrog Group and you can view those and ones from any other city and state in the US here.

The LeapFrog Group Hospital Safety Grades North Carolina

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.

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