Skip to Primary Navigation

Coverage denials are delaying care, driving medical debt for privately insured

A photo of an empty hospital bed.
Photo: Tyler Russell/Connecticut Public/Getty Images

Authors of a new survey say their findings underscore the growing role that insurance practices play in shaping Americans’ access to care and financial stability.

A national survey from the Commonwealth Fund finds that millions of Americans with private health insurance experienced coverage denials last year, often resulting in delayed treatment, worsening health, and unexpected medical bills.

The findings come from the Fund’s 2025 Affordability Survey, released on June 4, 2026, which examined how

According to the

Get full access, free for a month

This is a Premium article. Start your 28-day free trial to continue reading and access all content on GRIP – no payment details required.

What’s included:

  • Every new article, plus our 5,000+ archive
  • Daily regulatory insight and guidance
  • Exclusive interviews and in-depth analysis
  • Coverage of industry-leading events and conferences
  • All podcasts and videos, featuring industry experts
  • The full set of Rules Navigator tools
  • An ad-free experience