Americans' Out-of-pocket health costs spiked in 2021

Patients' health care spending spiked in 2021 Out-of-pocket health spending grew by 10.4% in 2021, the fastest growth rate since 1985. Caitlin Owens Axios

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Americans' out-of-pocket health spending rose 10.4% in 2021, a growth rate not seen since 1985 that was driven in part by demand for dental services, eyeglasses and medical supplies, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' annual National Health Expenditures report.

The big picture: Overall health spending grew by only 2.7%, a much smaller rate than the 10.3% bump seen in 2020. But the decline of special pandemic and public health-related federal funding is a huge factor in the 2021 results and masks a sharper spike in other areas.

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