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Health
India's Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure Climbs 28.4% Over Five Years
✍️ Moneycontrol.com
🗓 11 Aug 2026, 01:36 PM
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A recent Moneycontrol report shows that Indians' out-of-pocket spending on healthcare has surged by 28.4% in the last five years, with states like Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh among the highest contributors.
The Moneycontrol analysis indicates that out‑of‑pocket healthcare expenditure in India rose by 28.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Out‑of‑pocket spending refers to payments made directly by patients without reimbursement from insurance or government schemes.
The report highlights that states such as Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh have seen the steepest increases, reflecting higher out‑of‑pocket costs for medical services.
The rise raises concerns about affordability and financial protection for households, especially in rural areas where insurance coverage remains low.
Policy makers are urged to strengthen public health financing and expand insurance coverage to curb the growing burden on patients.
Out‑of‑pocket spending refers to payments made directly by patients without reimbursement from insurance or government schemes.
The report highlights that states such as Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh have seen the steepest increases, reflecting higher out‑of‑pocket costs for medical services.
The rise raises concerns about affordability and financial protection for households, especially in rural areas where insurance coverage remains low.
Policy makers are urged to strengthen public health financing and expand insurance coverage to curb the growing burden on patients.