2013 Vs Today: What One Household Paid For Health Care

Last Updated: Jun 06, 2026 • Written by Marcus Holloway

Table of Contents

01. Breaking Down 2013 Household Health Costs
02. Key 2013 Spending Data
03. How Economists Calculate Household Spending
04. Historical Context: Why 2013 Was Significant
05. What Households Actually Felt
06. Comparison With Other Years
07. Why Health Costs Were So High
08. FAQ: 2013 Health Care Spending

In 2013, the average U.S. household effectively spent **between $13,000 and $15,000 per year on health care**, combining insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and tax-funded public spending. This estimate, derived from national health expenditure data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in December 2014, reflects both direct and indirect payments that households ultimately bear.

Breaking Down 2013 Household Health Costs

The total reflects multiple layers of spending, not just what families pay at the doctor's office. Analysts from the Health Affairs journal noted in January 2015 that employer contributions and government-funded programs must be allocated back to households to understand the true burden.

Private insurance premiums (employer + employee share).
Out-of-pocket spending (deductibles, copays, prescriptions).
Public spending per household (Medicare, Medicaid, subsidies).
Administrative and system-wide costs embedded in premiums.

When combined, these categories explain why the real household burden exceeds what families directly pay out-of-pocket each year.

Key 2013 Spending Data

The following table illustrates a realistic breakdown of average annual health care spending per U.S. household in 2013, based on aggregated CMS expenditure reports and insurance market data.

Category	Average Annual Cost (USD)	Share of Total
Employer-paid premiums	$7,200	48%
Employee premium contributions	$3,400	23%
Out-of-pocket costs	$2,300	15%
Public program allocation	$2,100	14%
Total per household	$15,000	100%

This distribution highlights how much of the hidden cost structure is embedded in wages and taxes rather than visible bills.

How Economists Calculate Household Spending

Economists convert national totals into per-household figures using a standardized methodology rooted in per capita health spending and household size averages. In 2013, total U.S. health spending reached approximately $2.9 trillion, or $9,255 per person.

Start with total national health expenditures reported by CMS.
Divide by total population to obtain per capita spending.
Multiply by average household size (about 2.6 people in 2013).
Adjust for employer and government contributions allocated to households.

This approach produces a realistic estimate of the economic burden per household, even though families do not directly pay every dollar themselves.

Historical Context: Why 2013 Was Significant

The year 2013 marked a transitional phase just before major Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage expansions took effect in 2014. According to a December 2014 CMS report, health spending growth slowed to 3.6% in 2013, reflecting lingering effects of the Great Recession and cautious utilization patterns.

Despite slower growth, the baseline cost level remained historically high. Employers continued shifting more costs to workers through higher deductibles, which increased the share of out-of-pocket exposure for many households.

"Even in a low-growth year, U.S. health spending remains elevated compared to household income trends," noted CMS economists in their 2014 annual report.

What Households Actually Felt

While the total burden approached $15,000, the typical household directly paid a smaller visible portion. Surveys from the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2013 showed that the average worker contributed about $4,565 toward family coverage premiums and several thousand more in deductibles and copayments.

This discrepancy explains the difference between perceived health costs and the full economic cost embedded in wages and taxes. Many households underestimated their total spending because employer contributions are often invisible.

Direct visible spending: roughly $6,000-$8,000 per year.
Hidden employer contributions: $6,000-$8,000.
Tax-funded public share: $2,000+ per household.

The combination of these layers creates what analysts often call the true cost of coverage.

Comparison With Other Years

To understand 2013 in context, it helps to compare it with adjacent years. Health spending has consistently risen, making 2013 a midpoint in a longer upward trend.

Year	Per Capita Spending	Estimated Household Total
2010	$8,402	$12,500
2013	$9,255	$13,000-$15,000
2016	$10,348	$16,000+

This progression shows how the cost escalation trend continued even during periods of slower growth.

Why Health Costs Were So High

Several structural factors drove the elevated spending levels in 2013, according to research published in Health Affairs and CMS analyses.

High prices for medical services compared to other countries.
Administrative complexity within private insurance systems.
Increased use of specialty drugs and advanced procedures.
Aging population increasing demand for care.

Each of these contributed to the overall system-wide cost pressure that households ultimately financed.

FAQ: 2013 Health Care Spending

What are the most common questions about 2013 Vs Today What One Household Paid For Health Care?

How much did the average household spend on health care in 2013?

The average U.S. household spent approximately $13,000 to $15,000 in total health care costs when including premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, and allocated public spending.

Why is household spending higher than out-of-pocket costs?

Because employer contributions and government-funded programs are ultimately financed by workers through lower wages and taxes, they are included in the total household burden.