The nationwide average cost for single coverage has increased by 74% and family coverage by 80% since 2003, leading many Americans to forgo medication attention to save funds.
As reforms in Medicaid and Medicare reforms sweep the nation, data show some states do better than others when it comes to health-related return on investments (ROIs).
When considering death rates, American’s Health Rankings and average individual health insurance premiums, Minnesota stands out above other states as having the best overall health-related ROI, according to a recent study by WalletHub. The study excludes Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont due to data limitations.
Rounding out the top five states with the best overall health ROI are Utah, Kansas, Hawaii and Iowa.
In contrast, Mississippi ranks at the bottom of the list, and is preceded by Louisiana, Arkansas, West Virginia and Indiana.
“In 2013, the nationwide average annual health insurance premium for an individual had a price tag of $5,884 while families paid an average of $16,351 for group coverage,” WalletHub says, noting that single coverage has increased by 74% and family coverage by 80% since 2003.
Overall, residents in blue states have a better health ROI than those in red states, data show. Residents in Democratic states have an average rank of 20.35, whereas those in GOP states have an average rank of 27.42.
“For a country that spends $2.9 trillion a year on health care — twice as much per capita as other industrialized nations — one would think the United States is home to the healthiest humans on the planet,” WalletHub says. “And yet, the reverse is true: Americans have shorter lives, higher infant mortality rates and more cases of chronic diseases than populations of other wealthy countries.”
To minimize health-related expenditures, one should commit to 30 minutes a day of steady aerobic ercercise at least five days a week, participating in outdoor activities, refrain from smoking and include at least five servings a day from the vegetable and fruit category, Susan Massad, professor of foods and nutrition at Framingham State University, tells WalletHub.
WalletHub based its findings on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, America’s Health Rankings and eHealthInsurance.
See the full results of the study here.
Written by Cassandra Dowell
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