2018 National Health Expenditure Projected At $3.65 Trillion, Up 4.4%

The projected national health expenditure (NHE) for 2018 is $3.65 trillion, representing 4.4% growth over the $3.49 trillion NHE in 2017. Between 2018 and 2027, the annual NHE is projected to grow at an average of 5.5% per year to reach nearly $6.0 trillion by 2027.

Due primarily to higher projected enrollment growth, Medicare spending is projected to increase at a higher rate than Medicaid or private health insurance. Average annual Medicare spending growth is projected at 7.4%, compared to 5.5% for Medicaid and 4.8% for private health insurance. By 2027, the . . .