NC Lifetime Healthcare Costs Top National Average by 10%

Right now, our entire nation’s healthcare system is being pushed to its limits. As healthcare professionals work in unimaginable conditions to test and treat COVID-19 patients, and individuals with underlying conditions fear transformative health outcomes, one additional consideration seems to add more anxiety to all involved: costs.

In North Carolina, our hugely diverse state experiences a wide range of health challenges and outcomes and, in turn, has an equally wide range of access and ability to pay for treatments, medicine and support. But how exactly does NC compare to the rest of the country?

According to a new report from medical malpractice group Weiss & Paarz, North Carolinians pay average lifetime healthcare costs totaling $79,917.63, which is 10% above the national average. The report used total costs for routine care, adding in occasional emergencies.

One important consideration in this data set however, is that the group decided to factor costs outside of costs associated with terminal injuries, injuries and chronic health conditions. However, according to the National Institute of Health, the Mid-South had the highest rates of chronic disease in the United States, meaning that conditions like obesity, diabetes, and diseases in the heart, kidney and pulmonary systems are likely pushing lifetime healthcare costs even farther pst the national average for residents of North Carolina.

So, given that NC residents pay more over a lifetime in healthcare costs, is the state of North Carolina footing the bill on any existing support? Not quite. While other states like Massachusetts and California have expanded medicaid, North Carolina policymakers have yet to push forward in expanding offerings and coverage to residents with lower incomes. However, conversations around expanding public offerings for healthcare coverage have become the center of NC local politics and a crucial part of national politicians’ local campaign efforts, as reported by the New York Times.

As we enter even more uncertain times for health, affordability and policy change in our state, it will be interesting to see how the higher-than-average public healthcare in North Carolina drives change or causes tragedy.