South Carolina Ranks 2nd in the Nation For Medical Debt in Collections

A new report revealed that residents in South Carolina are struggling to pay off medical debt. The study, authored by HelpAdvisor.com, analyzed 2022 data from the Urban Institute to determine which states and counties have the highest rates of medical debt in collections.

In South Carolina, 22.3% of residents have medical debt in collections, which is the 2nd highest in the U.S. 

Here are additional key findings from the report:

• Among states, only West Virginia had a higher percentage of residents with medical debt in collections (24.0%).
• South Carolina is home to three of the 50 U.S. counties with at least a 30% rate of residents with medical debt in collections (Marlboro, Laurens and Cherokee).
• More than 20% of residents in South Carolina, West Virginia, North Carolina and Oklahoma have medical debt in collections.

Here are the South Carolina counties that ranked in the top 50 for residents with medical debt in collections:

• Marlboro County – 37% of residents have medical debt in collections (16th highest among U.S. counties).
• Laurens County – 36.9% of residents have medical debt in collections (20th highest among U.S. counties).
• Cherokee County – 34.2% residents have medical debt in collections (36th highest among U.S. counties). 

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