When profits rise, patient care often falls.
Let’s get real: health insurance is big business. While it markets itself as a safety net for your health, the truth is much uglier. Many insurance companies operate like Wall Street investment firms—with one primary goal: maximize shareholder profits.
That goal doesn’t align with your need for accessible, timely, and compassionate medical care.
In fact, it often works directly against it.
Profits Before People: The Hidden Business Model
Most people think of insurance as a service—you pay your premiums, and in return, they help cover your medical bills when something goes wrong.
But that’s not how it works.
Here’s the real business model:
- You pay your premium every month.
- The less the insurer pays out in claims, the more money they keep.
- Every delayed or denied claim boosts their profit margin.
In other words, the system is built to benefit from your suffering.
The fewer treatments they approve, the more money they make.
Publicly Traded Health Plans = Profit Machines
Many of the biggest insurance companies are publicly traded. That means they report to Wall Street, not you.
Take a look at recent headlines and earnings reports. Major insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Anthem (Elevance), Aetna (CVS Health), and Cigna are pulling in tens of billions in annual profits. CEO pay packages routinely top $15–20 million per year—while everyday people battle medical bankruptcy, treatment delays, and surprise denials.
It’s not a bug in the system. It’s the system.
How They Boost Profits at Your Expense
Insurers use a handful of core tactics to protect profits:
1. The “3 D’s” Strategy
They delay, deny, and defend—hoping patients give up before care is paid for.
2. Narrow Networks
They limit which doctors and hospitals you can access to avoid paying higher fees.
3. Prior Authorizations
They require pre-approval for everything from MRIs to cancer treatments—creating bottlenecks that reduce spending.
4. High Deductibles and Hidden Fees
Even with insurance, you’re often on the hook for thousands before coverage kicks in.
These tactics aren’t side effects—they’re standard operating procedure.
The Emotional Toll on Patients
Behind every cost-saving tactic is a human being:
- A mom skipping medication because the co-pay is too high.
- A young man with diabetes rationing insulin while insurers rake in profit.
- A cancer patient caught in red tape, watching valuable treatment time slip away.
This isn’t just an economic problem. It’s a moral one.
But They Say They’re “Helping You Save”
Insurance marketing is slick. You’ll see happy families, healthy seniors, and confident doctors in commercials. They talk about “care coordination” and “cost transparency.” What they don’t mention?
- Claim denial rates
- Lawsuits over withheld treatments
- The lobbying dollars they spend fighting healthcare reform
Don’t be fooled. These companies are masters of public relations, but their track record tells a different story.
Follow the Money: Lobbying and Political Influence
Did you know the health insurance industry spends hundreds of millions each year lobbying Congress?
They do it to:
- Block healthcare reform
- Influence drug pricing regulations
- Protect legal loopholes that favor denial practices
Your suffering is their business model—and they’ll spend whatever it takes to protect it.
So, What Can You Do?
While we can’t tear down the system overnight, we can push back:
✅ Be Loud
Share your experience. Shine a light on unfair practices.
✅ Be Informed
Know your rights under your health plan. Challenge every denial.
✅ Support Reform
Vote for candidates who fight for patient protections and insurance accountability.
✅ Don’t Give Up
Insurance companies are counting on your silence. Speak up. File appeals. Tell your story.
It’s Time for a Patient-First System
Insurance companies are supposed to exist to help people—not hurt them. But right now, they’re rewarded for denying care, delaying treatment, and protecting profits.
Until we demand change, this won’t stop.
You deserve better. We all do.
💬 Ever felt like your insurer put profits over your well-being? Tell your story below. Let’s expose the truth together.
