Why More Americans Are Paying More for Insurance — But Still Avoiding Care
Health insurance is getting more expensive. However, for many families, higher premiums do not mean healthcare feels more affordable.
According to KFF, average ACA Marketplace premium payments increased from $113 to $178 per month in 2026, a 58% increase. At the same time, many people shifted into higher-deductible plans to keep monthly costs lower. As a result, KFF found that the average Marketplace deductible grew by about $1,000 per person in 2026. (kff.org)
That means many people are paying more each month just to keep coverage, while still facing thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs before insurance helps much.
For many working families, this creates a frustrating reality: they technically have insurance, but they still avoid care because they cannot afford to use it.
A family may hesitate to schedule a primary care visit because they know it could lead to additional testing, imaging, labs, or specialist referrals that all apply toward a deductible they have not met. Others avoid preventive care because they are already struggling with rising housing, food, transportation, and childcare costs.
Many people today are insured on paper but functionally underinsured in real life.
This especially impacts ALICE households — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — families who are working hard, often working multiple jobs, but still living paycheck to paycheck. These are the people who frequently earn too much to qualify for assistance programs but not enough to comfortably absorb large healthcare expenses.
As costs rise, many people begin making healthcare decisions based on fear of the bill rather than what is best for their health.
They delay:
- Blood pressure checks
- Diabetes management
- Preventive screenings
- Women’s health visits
- Mental health discussions
- Medication refills
- Follow-up appointments
Eventually, small issues can become major health problems that require urgent care, emergency room visits, hospitalization, or time away from work.
Primary care was never meant to function this way.
Traditionally, primary care has been the front door to the healthcare system — the place where problems are caught early, relationships are built, and patients receive guidance before health concerns become emergencies. Unfortunately, for many Americans, even basic primary care now feels financially out of reach.
That is one reason why healthcare models across the country are beginning to change.
A Simpler Approach to Primary Care
At Aslan Health, we are trying to create a simpler and more affordable approach to care here in St. Cloud.
All appointments are $75 when paid the same day, plus labs if needed. Patients know the cost up front before the visit begins. There are no surprise facility fees weeks later and no confusion about what insurance may or may not cover.
We also provide:
- Evening and Saturday hours
- Walk-in access
- Transparent self-pay pricing
- Low-cost lab options
- Itemized receipts patients can submit to insurance or health sharing plans
- HSA and FSA payment options
- Sliding-scale assistance when available
- Support for uninsured and high-deductible patients
- Care for patients regardless of insurance status
Our goal is not to replace insurance entirely. Insurance still plays an important role, especially for hospitalization, surgery, major illness, and emergencies.
Instead, we are trying to remove barriers to everyday healthcare so people can receive care earlier, when problems are smaller, easier to treat, and less expensive overall.
A Community-Supported Model
Healthcare is expensive to provide. The true cost of a primary care visit is far greater than the $75 many patients pay at Aslan Health.
That is where the community steps in.
At Aslan Health, patients contribute toward the cost of their care because we believe there is dignity in participating in your own healthcare when possible. Then churches, donors, foundations, and community partners help make up the difference so care remains accessible for those who need it.
This allows us to continue serving:
- Uninsured patients
- High-deductible families
- The working poor
- Small business employees
- Immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities
- Individuals who might otherwise delay care
We believe healthcare works best when communities care for one another.
Healthcare Access Matters
The healthcare affordability problem in America is no longer limited to people without insurance.
More and more Americans are paying higher premiums every month while simultaneously avoiding care because they are afraid of the out-of-pocket costs that come with actually using their insurance.
That is not sustainable for patients, families, employers, or communities.
Local, relationship-based primary care clinics can help fill part of that gap by providing accessible, affordable care close to home.
At Aslan Health, our mission is simple: to care for our neighbors by making quality healthcare more accessible while demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate, whole-person care.
Because people should not have to choose between protecting their health and protecting their paycheck.