This Is How Americans' Medical Bills Compare to Other Countries

The Dutch have a universal health care system that covers an estimated 99.8% of the population. Still, residents must pay out-of-pocket costs related to hospital admissions and prescription drugs. This cost, in addition to personal spending on medical goods, comes out to $570 per resident a year, or about 10.8% of total medical spending.

As is typically the case in OECD countries with universal health care, the Netherlands has a relatively healthy population. Life expectancy at birth in the country is 81.8 years, well above the global average of 72.4 years.

Through a network of over 3,400 insurers, Japan has a universal health care system that is required by law to provide high quality care to all citizens. Funded primarily by taxes and employee and employer premiums, the system derives only about 12% of its funding from out-of-pocket patient costs. The typical Japanese citizen pays $608 out of pocket in medical expenses every year.

Japan’s health care system appears to be functioning better than most, as life expectancy at birth in the country is 84.2 years, nearly the highest in the world.

In the U.K., the National Health Service, or NHS, provides health care to most residents. Though coverage is universal, about one in every 10 British nationals are enrolled in some form of private insurance program, which typically offers faster and more convenient access to health care.

In addition to medical products for personal use, British residents can still have out-of-pocket costs for outpatient prescription medication and dental services. At $629 per year, the per capita out-of-pocket medical spending in the U.K. accounts for about 16% of all health care expenditure.

The vast majority of German residents receive their health care through publicly funded insurance programs, and about one in every 10 Germans opt for private health insurance. The public option is funded largely through taxes on businesses and workers, while private insurance, a popular option among higher-income residents, receives no government subsidies — but is regulated to ensure premiums are not a significant financial burden. The typical German pays $738 in out-of-pocket medical expenses a year.

Canada’s health care system, which is organized and administered by provincial and territorial governments, offers citizens comprehensive, universal coverage. The federal government assists with funding and regulating these systems. Still, about two-thirds of Canadians also have private insurance, which covers services not provided in the public system, including vision and dental care, prescription drugs not provided by a hospital, and home care.

Each year, Canadians spend an estimated $749 out of pocket on products and services such as over-the-counter and prescription medication, long-term care homes, and dental and vision care.