What common medical visits cost in New Hampshire - and how they compare to nearby states

In the patchwork of health care providers in the United States, determining what a medical visit might cost can be confusing at best and life-altering at worst. The vast majority of patients who arrive at the hospital for a service recommended by their doctor do so without knowing the cost of that treatment. The price tag on most medical visits is so high for the uninsured, a full one-third of all money raised on GoFundMe is for health care costs.

A raft of legislation in nearly every state is set on tackling some of these endemic issues, with energy aimed squarely at lowering costs and expanding access. Some of this legislation is grand in scope, notably in states like New York where legislators are looking to put a public option on the table for residents there. Other states are taking a narrower approach, requiring providers to release price lists so patients are aware of what their care will cost.

Stacker analyzed cost data released on June 8, 2021, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, common provider data from Verywell Health, and state zip codes from Simplemaps to find the average out-of-pocket cost for three typical medical visits in each state.

New Hampshire

- Most common family practice visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $106.44 for established patients ($92.26 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $26.61 for established patients ($23.06 for new patients)
- Most common internal medicine visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $106.44 for established patients ($137.58 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $26.61 for established patients ($34.39 for new patients)
- Most common pediatric medicine visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $106.44 for established patients ($92.26 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $26.61 for established patients ($23.06 for new patients)

In 2021, New Hampshire appropriated $1.6 million to help residents of the state find affordable health care. The New Hampshire Navigator's health care program will help residents explore the marketplace of insurance options to find the best plans for themselves and their families.

Some trends held steady across most states. For family practice and pediatric visits, new patients often pay less than established patients. For internal medicine visits, new patients frequently pay more than established patients. Both of these trends exist regardless of insurance type.

Transparency is increasingly paramount in American health care. Keep reading for a look at what common medical visits cost in neighboring states and the state-level factors that may influence these costs.

Vermont

- Most common family practice visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $103.32 for established patients ($89.24 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $25.83 for established patients ($22.31 for new patients)
- Most common internal medicine visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $103.32 for established patients ($133.23 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $25.83 for established patients ($33.31 for new patients)
- Most common pediatric medicine visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $103.32 for established patients ($89.24 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $25.83 for established patients ($22.31 for new patients)

A new piece of legislation in Vermont aims to make health care access more equitable among the state's residents. Act 33 establishes a commission that will study health care costs and access for the state's historically disadvantaged groups, particularly people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

Maine

- Most common family practice visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $98.76 for established patients ($85.25 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $24.69 for established patients ($21.31 for new patients)
- Most common internal medicine visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $98.76 for established patients ($127.90 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $24.69 for established patients ($31.98 for new patients)
- Most common pediatric medicine visit costs
--- Medicare recipients: $98.76 for established patients ($85.25 for new patients)
--- Other insurance holders: $24.69 for established patients ($21.31 for new patients)

Maine is moving toward universal health care for all residents. The state's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services committee voted "ought to pass" by a wide margin on a bill that would cover all health care costs for everyone in the state, including dental and vision care alongside addiction and mental health treatment.