Health Costs For Young Adults Rising Since 2010

Health care costs for young adults have accelerated since the Affordable Care Act was implemented in 2010.

A study by the nonprofit Health Care Cost Institute found that health-care spending for those aged 19-25 grew at an annual average of 6.9 percent, while those aged 26 to 64 saw average increases of only 3.9 percent.

The report says the growth rate is partially because more young adults — whether on their own plans or on their parents’ — are using more health services, like emergency room visits and mental health and substance abuse treatment.

The ACA allows young adults up to age 26 to stay on their family plans, but the report falls short of blaming the federal law for the hike.

Read the report here.