In most types of insurance, your premiums are based on how much of a risk you are, which is determined by your lifestyle choices. For example, if you have several vehicle accidents, you are deemed as a risky driver and given higher premiums. If this practice is typical, why is the idea of raising insurance premiums for those who make unhealthy lifestyle decisions so surprising?
With the rising costs of health care, companies need to find ways to cut costs. One easy way of cutting costs is to decrease costs of the most expensive patients. While it would be extremely unethical to charge people who did not cause their diagnosis, insurance companies are beginning to charge smokers and people who are overweight more than those who do not smoke and are not overweight.
Smoking can cause a variety of diseases, including several cancers, heart disease, and stroke1; being overweight can also cause a variety of diseases including hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and some cancers.2 Treatments for these diseases cost a great deal. With employers paying a large percentage of these costs, I think they are entitled to charge more for those who make decisions that put them at risk for such high-costing treatments. Many people feel this is unfair because it is another way for “big brother” to watch over us and control our lives. However, it is not the government making these policies – it is private corporations who are paying millions of dollars to cover treatments. In addition, the increase premiums are only for those who are putting themselves at risk by something they are doing, not simply by the medical history they are born with.
1. Smoking and Tobacco Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/health_effects/index.htm. Accessed October 7, 2007.
2. Overweight and obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/ Accessed October 7, 2007.
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2 comments:
Why should an overweight individual's premiums be raised just because he/she is heavier than what is considered healthy? There has been discussion that the BMI calculators are not accurate for some people who weight more because they are more muscular than others. In addition, what about the overweight/obese patients whose lab results are all normal, have normal BP, and no other comorbidities? Not only is singling out this group unethical, but suggesting that overweight/obesity is a "lifestyle choice" is offensive.
Will insurance companies start raising insurance premiums for people who have a family history of hypertension, diabetes, or other conditions that have genetic ties? Just because there is a *chance* that the person will one day suffer from the disease/condition? This is a slippery slope...
I have already had to submit to a health screening, in order to reduce my premiums on my health insurance through work.
First, I'm concerned about the 'insurability' of someone who's less healthy than me. Second, I object to my company likely gaining access to the health screening information (the screening was performed on work premises). This seems like a HIPAA violation.
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