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United States

Healthcare quality & costs · 2023

Good — 68.2/100   Private system
Healthcare Index 68.2/100 +7.7pp vs Americas avg
Life Expectancy 77.5 yrs +0.3 vs region avg
GP / Doctor Visit $250 USD
Hospital Stay / Day $2,400 USD
Private Insurance / Month $557 USD
Public Coverage 92.0% of population
Health Spend (% GDP) 16.80%
Doctors per 1,000 2.60
Hospital Beds per 1,000 2.80
Infant Mortality Rate 5.40 per 1,000

Healthcare index trend

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Americas comparison

CountryIndexLife ExpGP VisitDoctors/1kCoverage
Canada 78.6 82.2 yrs Free 2.40 100.0%
United States 68.2 77.5 yrs $250 2.60 92.0%
Chile 65.3 79.9 yrs $38 2.50 80.0%
Colombia 59.0 77.2 yrs $17 2.20 95.0%
Argentina 57.3 76.5 yrs $24 3.20 70.0%
Brazil 55.0 75.6 yrs $38 2.30 76.0%
Mexico 51.6 74.9 yrs $29 2.40 52.0%
Peru 48.6 73.8 yrs $19 1.40 60.0%

Healthcare in United States — FAQs

How good is healthcare in United States in 2023?

United States scores 68.2 out of 100 on the LifeIndexed Healthcare Quality Index in 2023, rated as "Good". Life expectancy is 77.5 years. The country runs a Primarily private (limited public safety net) and spends 16.80% of GDP on health services.

How much does a doctor visit cost in United States?

A typical GP / doctor visit in United States costs approximately $250 USD. Hospital accommodation costs around $2,400 USD per day. These are out-of-pocket costs; insured patients may pay significantly less.

Is healthcare free in United States?

92.0% of the United States population is covered by public healthcare. The remainder typically relies on private insurance or out-of-pocket payments. The government spends 16.80% of GDP on healthcare.

How much is private health insurance in United States?

Average private health insurance in United States costs approximately $557 USD per month. This provides access to private hospitals, shorter wait times and specialist care beyond what the public system offers.

What type of healthcare system does United States have?

United States relies primarily on private healthcare. Public coverage is limited to 92.0% of the population. Most residents use employer-sponsored or individual private insurance.

How many doctors are there per 1,000 people in United States?

United States has 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people. This is above the global average of approximately 1.8 per 1,000. The country also has 2.80 hospital beds per 1,000 people.

What is the life expectancy in United States?

Life expectancy in United States is 77.5 years in 2023, compared to the Americas average of 77.2 years. Life expectancy is a key indicator of population health, nutrition, and the effectiveness of the healthcare system.

What is the infant mortality rate in United States?

The infant mortality rate in United States is 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. This is a moderate rate reflecting ongoing improvements in maternal and newborn care.

How does United States compare to other Americas countries?

United States ranks 2 out of 8 Americas countries on the healthcare quality index. Its score of 68.2/100 is +7.7pp above the Americas average of 60.5/100. Life expectancy is +0.3 years versus the regional average.

Can expats and foreigners access healthcare in United States?

Foreign nationals and expats in United States typically rely on private health insurance, as public healthcare access may be limited or require employment-linked contributions. International health insurance is strongly recommended before relocating.

Is United States a good destination for medical tourism?

United States is not typically considered a primary medical tourism destination. Patients seeking cost savings usually prefer regional alternatives. However, emergency and specialist care is available in major cities.

How much does a hospital stay cost in United States?

A hospital stay in United States costs approximately $2,400 USD per day for private or uninsured patients. Public system patients pay little or nothing for inpatient care. Hospital costs can vary significantly between public and private facilities.

Is United States's healthcare improving?

United States's healthcare quality index has improved by 2.5 points from 2022 to 2026, rising from 67.0/100 to 69.5/100. Life expectancy also rose from 76.1 to 78.9 years over the same period.

What is the quality of hospitals in United States?

United States has good hospital infrastructure in urban centres, with 2.80 beds per 1,000 people. Quality varies between public and private facilities and between urban and rural areas.

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