OBJECTIVES To describe pocket expenditures in health' trends in people with different socioeconomic positions, in Colombia, in 1997 and 2003. METHODS Data about total pocket expenditures in the period were taken from Health National Accounts. Data about pocket expenditures were taken from Household Survey, 1997 and Quality of Life Survey, 2003. A descripción of porportion of households with pocket expenditures in health cathegorised by socioeconomic position, is showed, for each one of the surveys. RESULTS Although, pocket expenditures in health decreased between 1993 and 2005, in 1997 differences between high and low socioeconomical clasification individuals were found. A higher proportion of households from the lowest socioeconomical position had pocket expenditures in health than households from the highest socioeconomical households, to pay hospitalization and vaccines. As a proportion of their incomes, households from the lowest stratum payed more than households from the highest stratum for getting drugs, medical and dentistry consultation. Pocket expenditures fluctuated between 0.07% and 25.25% of their incomes, related with the kind of attention payed. In 2003, individuals from the first incomes decil spent 24% of their incomes whilst individuals from the 10th decil spent 7% of their incomes, to get all kind of specific attentions in health. The pocket expenditure as a proportion of their incomes, was 5 times higher for 1st decile individuals than for 10th decil's, in the four main metropolitan areas. CONCLUSIONS Pocket expenditures differences are evident between people cathegorised by socioeconomic position, being higher for the poorest people. Health Reforms' impact on Pocket expenditures in health in Colombia hasn't been the same for all people, and probably it has benefitted more to subjects with better socioeconomic position.