My Next Read: Delay, Deny, Defend by Jay M. Feinman 📖

 

It’s no secret that I read a little bit of everything, but my next book felt like a necessary deep dive into a topic that hits close to home: the American insurance industry and, by extension, the healthcare system. I chose Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It by Jay M. Feinman.

This book has resurfaced into the spotlight recently, largely due to conversations around the exploitative nature of the healthcare industry. Pair that with the buzz following the unexpected death of UnitedHealth Group’s CEO, and the timing felt serendipitous. It’s no exaggeration to say the healthcare system in this country feels like a scam, and Feinman’s book promised to pull back the curtain on why that is—and how we, as consumers, can protect ourselves.

So, I Started Reading...

OK, so I started reading this, but 🤷🏾‍♀️ the book itself wasn’t drawing me in. It wasn’t quite hitting the mark for me, even though the topic is something I’m super interested in. That said, I didn’t let that stop me from diving into the subject on my own.

What I found during my research only reinforced my initial thoughts: the insurance and healthcare system in America is a full-blown scam. The tactics Feinman writes about—delaying claims, denying coverage, and defending those denials in court—are maddeningly accurate. Real people are left struggling, bankrupt, or worse because these corporations put profits over people.

Fair Trial Laws: A Glimmer of Hope

Here’s something wild I learned while digging into all of this: in some states, you can demand a fair trial against your insurance company if they deny your claim unfairly. And let me tell you, insurance companies absolutely hate that.

Why? Because a fair trial exposes their shady practices and forces them to defend their actions in front of a jury. Most of these companies count on you not knowing your rights—or being too intimidated to take legal action. But if you push for a trial, you might just get the justice you deserve.

I had no idea these laws existed, and honestly, it’s something more people should know about. Imagine how much less power insurance companies would have if we all stood up for our rights and held them accountable.

Why This Topic Still Matters

Even though the book didn’t grab me, the issue it tackles is still crucial. Dealing with insurance is something we all dread, and the ways these companies exploit consumers are ridiculous. The healthcare system is already a maze of inequities, and when you add greedy insurance practices into the mix, it’s no wonder so many people feel stuck and powerless.

From what I learned, the loopholes these companies use and the deliberate complexity of their policies are all part of the game. They’re counting on us to be too frustrated, confused, or exhausted to fight back. It’s infuriating—and it’s also why I think we need to be informed.

Moving Forward

While Delay, Deny, Defend wasn’t the right book for me, it pushed me to dig deeper into the topic, and I’m glad I did. I’ve realized that understanding the system—even just a little—can help us advocate for ourselves better.

So, if you’re dealing with insurance (and let’s be real, who isn’t?), here’s my advice:

• Read your policies carefully, even if they’re boring or confusing.
• Document everything—conversations, emails, claims.
• Don’t be afraid to push back when something doesn’t feel right.
• Leverage your state’s fair trial laws if necessary. You can fight back.
• And most importantly, stay informed about the ways these systems operate.

Even if the book wasn’t for me, it’s left me more curious than ever to keep researching and learning about this broken system. America might be a scam in so many ways, but I’m determined not to let it scam me without a fight.