Medical bills are often large, unexpected expenses that can send individuals as well as their families into debt. Access to health insurance, which may differ among family members, is one way for families to offset the financial risk of medical bills.

In a study released on Jan. 28, the National Center for Health Statistics found that more than one in four U.S. families experienced financial burdens from medical care needs in 2012. Additionally, one in 10 said they had medical bills they could not pay.

According to the survey, financial burdens include problems paying medical bills, paying medical bills over time and having medical bills that cannot be paid.

Similarly, a Kaiser Family Foundation study released on Jan. 7 found as many as one in three Americans reported having difficulty paying their medical bills. That study examined reasons why this problem affects many who believe they are covered against such debts—those who have health insurance.

The NHIS study also revealed that the lack of health insurance for at least one family member increases the likelihood of financial burden from medical care.

Key NHIS findings:

• Families with incomes at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) were more likely to experience financial burdens of medical care than families with incomes above 250 percent of the FPL.
• Families with children aged 0-17 years were more likely than families without children to experience financial burdens of medical care.
• Almost one in six families had problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months, one in 10 families had medical bills that they were unable to pay at all (a subgroup of those having problems paying medical bills), and one in five families were paying medical bills over time.