Posted on February 12, 2024

For decades, I did what most people do: I accepted whatever health insurance I had, figured out how to make the best of it, and told myself, It could be worse. That was the script running in my head, drilled into me by a system that has convinced millions of people to be grateful for the privilege of overpaying for minimal coverage.

Let’s talk about that for a second. Why are we thankful when our insurance covers part of an outrageous bill? Why do we feel a sense of relief when a $50,000 band-aid is mostly paid for and we “only” owe $10,000? Instead of asking why in the world should I owe $10,000 in the first place?, we breathe a sigh of relief and think, Phew, at least I didn’t have to pay the full amount. Ok…$50,000 is an exaggeration…but I know you’re picking up what I’m putting down!

The Industry’s Biggest Trick: Convincing You to Accept Less

We’ve been conditioned to accept high premiums, insane deductibles, and limited choices as if they are a fact of life. The system doesn’t want you questioning it. Instead, it nudges you into a “just be grateful” mindset:

• Your insurance premium went up again? At least you have insurance.
• Your doctor is out of network? At least you have access to some providers.
• Your deductible is so high you basically pay out-of-pocket anyway? Well, at least you have coverage if something catastrophic happens.

See a pattern here? The bar has been set so low that we celebrate not being completely financially wrecked instead of demanding actual affordable care.

The “You Get What You Get & You Don’t Throw A Fit” Mentality

Did you use that saying with your kids at all? I know it was popular when my kids were younger. I was born in the '70s, so back then, it wasn’t so much of a cute rhyme—it was more like, take this and be grateful! Ha! But think about that… from a young age, kids hear rhymes, sayings and receive instructions that reinforce the idea of accepting what they’re given and not questioning it.

But here’s the thing—you have every right to “throw a fit,” especially when it comes to subpar health insurance. Now, granted, throwing a fit at work is a great way to become unemployed, so I’m not suggesting that. But I am suggesting that you start throwing around some options.

The Reality of Choice

Here’s the thing: When it comes to car insurance or homeowners insurance, we compare, research, and make sure we’re getting the best deal. We spend time checking rates, tweaking coverage, and making sure it fits our needs and budget. But when it comes to health insurance—one of the most critical aspects of our well-being—we just take whatever is offered and make the best of it.

Why? Because we’ve been trained to think that health insurance isn’t something we choose, it’s something we’re given. And that’s the biggest lie of all.

What If You Could Take Control?

What if instead of being grateful for whatever scraps the system hands you, you actually built a plan that worked for you? What if your health insurance:

• Didn’t lock you into a restrictive network?
• Allowed you to choose any doctor or hospital?
• Had cash-pay options that saved you money instead of draining your bank account?
• Gave you money back instead of taking more?

It exists. It’s just that no one is handing it to you—you have to take the reins and build it yourself. And that’s where people get overwhelmed.

I get it. At first, the idea of customizing my own health plan felt daunting. I was so used to just taking what was given that the thought of researching options felt like too much work. But you know what’s more work? Maxing out credit cards for medical bills. Paying thousands in premiums for a plan that barely covers anything. Feeling stuck with no options—when options actually do exist.

The Wake-Up Call

Once you see behind the curtain, you can’t unsee it. The system isn’t broken—it’s doing exactly what it was designed to do. Let’s say that one more time… The System Is NOT Broken!!! It’s doing exactly what it was designed to do—keep you paying in, using as little as possible, and thinking you should be grateful for it.

I’m done with that. I want to help people take back control of their health coverage because there is power in knowing you have options. You don’t have to accept what’s handed to you. You don’t have to make the best of a bad deal. You don’t have to be grateful for being overcharged.

The first step? Understanding that you have a choice—and it’s time for you to discover just what those choices are. If you have a trusted insurance broker, start the conversation today. If you don’t have one, you're welcome to schedule a call with me. Click here to access my calendar. 

Coming Next: “Health Insurance: What If There’s a Better Way?” (Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into what alternative health coverage actually looks like