High health care costs are hitting women in the U.S. workforce much harder than men. Working women spend $15.4 billion more in out-of-pocket health expenses annually compared to their male counterparts, according to a new analysis of employer-sponsored health plans from Deloitte Consulting. The study found women spend 18% more than men on co-pays and deductibles, on average. The takeaway being that women get paid less, and that they pay more for health care," said Dr. Kulleni Gebreyes, U.S. chief health equity officer at Deloitte Consulting. Women tend to utilize more medical care than men, in part due to annual gynecological exams and the high costs of breast cancer imaging.

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Persons: Kulleni Gebreyes Organizations: Deloitte Consulting, Deloitte Locations: U.S