Do New IU Employee Health Insurance Requirements Signal A Trend?
IndyStar.com reported today that Indiana University employees must “stop smoking and control risk factors such as weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels or face higher health insurance premiums” up to about $1900 per year. The story goes on to say, “By 2012, those who fail to meet target levels for blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors likely would pay a surcharge.” This represents a shift in the strategy of health insurance plans and employers from using “wellness” programs to reward participants who get in shape to one that punishes policyholders who do not. It also raises concerns how much data health insurance companies will collect about their policyholders, how often people must report and update that data, and to what extent will insurance companies or employers “manage” the lifestyles of their policyholders/employees to ensure those folks meet their personal health “targets.” Read the full story at http://www.indystar.com/article/20100810/LOCAL/8100333/1001
