A number of healthcare workers in the U.S. are choosing to drop their health insurance as costs continue to soar.
Reports indicate that many medical professionals are dealing with bills they simply cannot manage, and it seems likely that more will opt out of health insurance soon. This shift could put additional pressure on the healthcare system, experts have warned.
“Healthcare workers are facing the same challenges as millions across the country, with insurance premiums that have become unmanageable,” a representative from the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare stated. “This has led to many individuals skipping insurance altogether and delaying necessary care until they find themselves in need of emergency services, which can cause hospitals to become overloaded.”
The spokesperson expressed concern that more independent practitioners and small practices might decide to go without health insurance. This could further burden the healthcare system if these individuals forgo preventive care, fall ill, and find treatment cost-prohibitive or if they need to leave their jobs. This issue is particularly pronounced in rural areas, where healthcare resources are already limited.
According to estimates from KFF, the average family premium for employer-sponsored health insurance reached around $26,993 in 2025.
With rising costs, nationwide healthcare expenses are on track to increase significantly again next year. A recent survey by American consulting firm Mercer projected an 8.2% surge in health benefit costs for 2027, marking the largest rise since 2003.
Recent polling data shows that nearly half of insured adults (46%) wish for lower out-of-pocket costs in their health insurance.
“It’s not surprising that even those in upper-middle-income brackets are weighing the cost-benefit analysis of individual insurance plans and finding it lacking,” said Jeff Singer, the President Emeritus and Founder of Valley Surgical Clinics Ltd. “The Affordable Care Act mandates a wide range of essential health benefits in individual plans, which doesn’t always align with what consumers actually want or need. Insurers are also required to allocate a certain percentage of premiums towards care and quality enhancement, rather than administrative costs or profits.”
“Yet, premiums are still so high that the government provides subsidies to many middle-income individuals through tax credits,” Singer added. “An increasing number of people—health professionals included—are starting to feel that insurance may not justify the costs.”
He also pointed out that currently, there are “few alternatives” for healthcare workers looking for less comprehensive and more affordable major medical coverage.
Moreover, some small businesses in the U.S. have recently opted out of providing health insurance because of cost concerns, as previously reported.
