Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - When it comes to health care in the United States, a new report finds that the average family is paying much more than they should for coverage.

According to the report released by advocacy group Families USA, the average US family is paying an extra $1700 plus to compensate health care providers.

Back in 2005, the last year for which data is currently available, the average family spent an extra $900 to compensate those without health coverage.

When a person without health insurance receives medical treatment, the doctor who administers the treatment files with Medicare to reclaim the cost of the treatment rendered to the patient.

In most cases, what an uninsured patient receives in medical care, is not fully refunded by Medicare due to set prices therefore the people with private insurance plans are paying the price, literally.

There are more than 47 million Americans living without any form of health care, a fact that is putting the country at serious risk of deep financial burden in the near future.