Why Health Care Remains Out of Reach for Many in Kentucky

Finding quality healthcare at an affordable price is becoming increasingly difficult for many Americans. With the average person spending nearly $14,600 per year on personal health care, according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the financial burden is heavier than ever. It's even tougher on Kentuckians.

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While states like New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Iowa, and Massachusetts boast some of the best health care systems in the nation, ranking high in overall quality, accessibility, and outcomes, states like Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Alaska, and Mississippi fall toward the bottom of the list, according to a new study by WalletHub.

“Health care has two crucial components, cost and quality. The best health care in the nation isn’t helpful if it bankrupts the people who try to get it, and cheap health care isn’t worth paying for if it provides subpar or ineffective treatment. Therefore, the best states for health care are those that make high-quality care affordable, on top of providing many options for doctors and making insurance easily accessible.” - Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

Study Methodology

To evaluate where Americans receive the highest-quality health care services at the most affordable prices, WalletHub conducted a comprehensive comparison of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The study analyzed 44 key indicators across three primary dimensions: cost, accessibility, and outcome. These metrics included factors such as the average monthly insurance premium, the number of physicians per capita, and the percentage of the population with health insurance, among others. The study indicates that Kentucky residents face challenges in accessing and receiving high-quality health care.

Outcome for Kentucky

Kentucky ranked 43rd overall in the nation for health care quality. While the state performed moderately well in some areas, ranking 19th for average monthly insurance premiums and 14th for the percentage of insured adults, it showed significant weaknesses in others. Notably, Kentucky ranked last (51st) for the number of dentists per capita and 43rd for the percentage of adults who had no dental visit in the past year. Other rankings include 35th for physicians per capita, 21st for insured children, and 24th for the percentage of medical residents retained in the state.

Health Care in Kentucky (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

Overall Rank: 43rd
19th – Avg. Monthly Insurance Premium
35th – Physicians per Capita
51st – Dentists per Capita
14th – % of Insured Adults
21st – % of Insured Children
43rd – % of Adults with No Dental Visit in Past Year
24th – % of Medical Residents Retained

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State-By-State Breakdown

Source: WalletHub

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Gallery Credit: Bethany Adams