Mark Cuban chose to tackle a question many people quietly ask. What is the point of health insurance if you still cannot afford to use it?
In an August 2025 message on X, the Cost Plus Drugs co-founder focused on high deductibles. He argued that coverage loses its value when the upfront cost is too steep. If a family cannot come up with several thousand dollars before benefits begin, the policy may offer little real help.
Plenty of households pay their premiums month after month. Then a medical bill arrives, and they realize they must cover a large chunk on their own first. That gap can turn insurance into a financial strain rather than a safety net.
Cuban’s argument cuts to that gap. Insurance is meant to reduce risk. But when upfront costs are too high, it can feel like you are insured only on paper.
Mark Cuban Questions Health Insurance Value
Mark Cuban took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his displeasure. He wrote:
“The real health insurance scam is that they know as their deductibles go up, fewer people can afford to use their insurance. Which means they don’t have insurance. Despite having to pay premiums.
It may sound counterintuitive, but if you can’t afford your deductible, you MIGHT be better off not getting insurance. When you need care, primary, preventive, or worse, your doctor or hospital has financing plans.
And, the cash price that they finance will be cheaper than what your insurance company or employer negotiated.
There is still a lot of work to be done before this is easy and convenient. But it’s starting to happen.
Now is the time to find a doctor who is willing to work with you directly and let you pay them directly. See what works for you.
This isn’t a perfect approach, so all feedback is welcome!”
The Case Against High Deductibles For Patients
Mark Cuban was not trying to be clever. He was pointing at a basic problem in how health insurance works.
Deductibles keep climbing. That means more people are paying for coverage they cannot actually use. They send in their premiums every month. Then they get sick or injured and learn they must spend thousands before the plan pays a dime.
For a lot of families, that money is not sitting in a savings account. So care gets delayed or skipped. Cuban’s view is simple. When people cannot afford to reach their deductible, the system is broken.
Are You Getting Real Value From Your Health Insurance?
The former Shark is not saying insurance has no place. He is questioning whether some high deductible plans make sense for everyone.
In certain cases, he suggests it may be cheaper to pay a provider directly and ask about payment options. Many clinics and hospitals will discuss pricing or set up a plan if you ask. That can end up costing less than paying steep premiums for coverage you rarely tap into.
If a plan only kicks in after a large out-of-pocket cost you cannot reach, it may not be giving you much value.
Early Signs of Transparent Pricing in Healthcare
Mark Cuban has been clear that this model is still a work in progress. It is not streamlined, and it does not cover every situation. And it is not available everywhere. That said, he notes that pieces of it are already in motion.
Some doctors and clinics are experimenting with clearer pricing and direct payment options. It is uneven and scattered. But it is starting to show up in parts of the system.
Mark Cuban Responds to Critics on Insurance Discounts
Mark Cuban got mixed reactions online. Some users said insurance companies can lock in lower rates for lab work than a patient could get alone.
He disagreed. Cuban responded that paying cash is often cheaper than the so-called negotiated rate. He encouraged people to look up hospital price lists, which many are now required to publish.
His basic point is that a negotiated price is not always the lowest price. The numbers are there. People just have to check them.
Is Health Coverage Truly Affordable in Practice?
Mark Cuban is not calling for people to abandon insurance. He is asking them to look at what they are actually getting for their money.
When monthly premiums keep rising, and deductibles keep rising, coverage can start to feel hollow. You pay year-round. Then, when you need care, you still have to come up with a large sum before insurance helps.
His point comes down to this. Paying for a plan does not always mean you can afford to use it.
In some situations, upfront cash prices or payment plans through a hospital or doctor may be cheaper than hitting a high deductible on an expensive policy. The smart move depends on your own finances and what options exist in your area.
Mark Cuban is echoing a wider conversation that has picked up steam. Patients, employers, and some elected officials are all taking a closer look at how insurance is structured.
The question is how a plan works when someone needs treatment. Rising deductibles and complex pricing have pushed more people to rethink whether coverage is truly affordable in practice.
Making Sure Your Insurance Fits Your Budget and Risk
Mark Cuban is not arguing that insurance has no value. For serious accidents or major health issues, it can be a lifeline.
His argument is about whether a plan works in day-to-day reality. Coverage should not just exist on paper. It should be usable without pushing someone into financial strain.
Anyone trying to choose the right path needs to look closely at the numbers. Compare premiums with deductibles. Check local cash prices. Think about your savings and your tolerance for risk. A financial advisor can help sort through those details.
The bottom line of all this? Do not treat insurance as automatic protection. Make sure it lines up with what you can actually afford and how you expect to use it.
