Who Paid for U.S. Health Care in 2012? In the United States in 2012, insurance paid for 77% of health care consumption costs: the sum of 34% (private insurance), 23% (Medicare), 16% (Medicaid), and 4% (other public). The percentage paid for by private insurance, 34%, was a uniquely high number among advanced countries. Even so, substantially more U.S. health care was paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs than by other means.

Source: Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.