What percentage of U.S. healthcare expenditures is paid directly by recipients?

The correct choice indicates that less than 11% of U.S. healthcare expenditures are paid directly by recipients, which reflects a significant trend in how healthcare financing works in the United States. Most healthcare payments come from third-party payers such as private health insurers and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

Out-of-pocket expenses typically comprise a smaller portion of total healthcare spending due to the prevalence of insurance coverage that shields patients from the full cost of medical services. This shifts a substantial burden of funding away from individuals to employers and government programs.

By understanding that direct payment from recipients is less than 11%, it highlights the increasing reliance on insurance mechanisms and the complexity of healthcare financing. This percentage underscores the importance of third-party payers in the funding landscape of U.S. healthcare.