Why More Seniors With Medicare Are Swamped by Medical Debt And How To Tame It

Nearly 18% of Americans ages 65 and older reported medical debt in 2025, despite widespread Medicare coverage. Unexpected medical bills, dental expenses, and gaps in coverage can put significant pressure on retirement budgets. SynthEx/Shutterstock

Rising health costs and a preventable lack of proper coverage are driving more older adults into medical debt, new data reveals.

A report this month by the Urban Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that 17.6% of adults aged 65 and older are saddled with medical debt. That is despite the fact that almost everyone over 65 has Medicare health coverage.