According to a survey by PayZen and the Healthcare Financial Management Association, 92% of U.S. health providers now encourage or require prepayment from patients. This figure represents an increase from 81% in 2025. Providers are increasingly collecting payment methods during the initial estimate process to mitigate the risk of unpaid bills.
Molly Smith of the American Hospital Association notes that this shift stems from insurers transferring more costs to patients. Data from a 2025 JAMA Health Forum study indicates that approximately half of patient-owed bills remain unpaid one year after service. Consequently, some patients face financial strain, leading them to delay necessary medical procedures.
Research from PYMNTS Intelligence highlights that patients often prioritize housing and car payments over medical expenses. Data shows that 30.3% of labor economy workers delay medical payments. To manage costs, some consumers are increasingly utilizing buy now, pay later services, with 55% of Gen Z patients reporting that BNPL options influence their choice of healthcare provider.
