Insurance claims can feel like a maze—and it’s not an accident.
If you’ve ever filed a health insurance claim and felt overwhelmed, confused, or outright defeated, you’re not alone. There’s a reason for the chaos. Many insurance companies operate with a behind-the-scenes strategy known as the “3 D’s”:
👉 Delay
👉 Deny
👉 Defend
This approach maximizes profits—at your expense. In this blog, we’ll unpack each tactic and show how these strategies create unnecessary suffering for everyday people just trying to get care.
1. Delay: A System Built to Wear You Down
Insurance companies know that time is on their side. They use delays strategically, betting that you’ll get frustrated and give up. Common delay tactics include:
- Repeated requests for additional documents
- Long hold times with customer service
- Lost paperwork that needs to be resubmitted
- Confusing processes that require multiple approvals
For a patient, these delays can be devastating. Imagine being told your cancer treatment is “pending review” for weeks—or that you need to “wait for authorization” for a surgery you needed yesterday.
Delay isn’t accidental. It’s a business strategy.
2. Deny: Saying No to Save Money
If delay doesn’t stop you, denial might. Health insurers routinely reject valid claims—often hoping you won’t push back. Denials come in many forms:
- “This treatment isn’t medically necessary.”
- “This provider is out-of-network.”
- “This procedure is experimental.”
- “You missed the deadline.”
These denials are frequently arbitrary or based on twisted interpretations of policy terms. And here’s the kicker: most patients never appeal—even though many who do end up winning.
The fewer claims they pay, the more money they keep.
3. Defend: Outlawyer the Patient
If you’re one of the few who keeps fighting—maybe even pursuing legal action—you’ll face the final D: Defend.
Insurance companies are armed with deep pockets and elite legal teams. They can afford to drag out lawsuits, delay settlements, and pressure plaintiffs into giving up or accepting pennies on the dollar.
For the average patient already dealing with illness, bills, and emotional stress, this is often too much to bear.
Defending bad decisions is easier when the other side is exhausted.
The Human Cost: Real People, Real Harm
Behind each delay, denial, or defense is a person:
- A parent struggling to get medication for their child
- A retiree denied approval for a life-saving procedure
- A cancer patient navigating red tape while their condition worsens
These aren’t rare exceptions—they’re daily occurrences in a system designed to profit off your pain.
What Can You Do? 5 Steps to Fight Back
You’re not powerless. Here are 5 ways to push back against the 3 D’s:
- Know Your Policy
Read the fine print. Know your rights and what’s covered. - Appeal Every Denial
Don’t take “no” for an answer. Use your right to appeal—many succeed. - Keep Documentation
Save every letter, email, and record of conversations. - Seek Help
Patient advocates, legal aid, and social workers can be powerful allies. - Speak Up
Share your story. Contact your lawmakers. Push for reform.
Let’s Call It What It Is: Systemic Patient Neglect
The “3 D’s” aren’t just annoying—they’re harmful. They lead to worsened health outcomes, financial hardship, and emotional distress for millions of Americans.
It’s time we stop normalizing this behavior and start demanding change.
Healthcare should heal—not hinder.
💬 Have you experienced the 3 D’s? Share your story in the comments below. Let’s raise awareness—together.
