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The state is notifying its employees this month that if they are obese or smoke they will pay more for health insurance.
The state hopes employees will change their lifestyles. And that it will lead to savings in the state health plan.
The state spends $2.4 billion a year on medical care for about 650,000 employees. That increases by 8 to 10 percent a year, according to Lacey Barnes, Deputy Executive Administrator for the North Carolina State Health Plan.
About a third of state workers are overweight. About 14 percent smoke, according to Barnes.
"Research indicates that smoking, the use of tobacco products, and obesity are two conditions that do result in higher health care costs," she said.
So the state is trying something new.
It will force employees who smoke to pay about ten percent more for health insurance than other workers, unless they enroll in a program to quit smoking.
State workers who have a body mass index of 40 or higher will also pay ten percent more than other workers, unless they sign up for a program to lose weight.
The state will do random checks on people who say they are not smokers. They are still working out how to monitor weight.
"You should be willing to pay more for your insurance if you're going to leave yourself in poor physical condition without doing anything about it," said state worker Buddy West.
But not everyone is happy about the plan.
"This so called wellness initiative doesn't make them feel good about going to work. It's invasive. The testing is humiliating. And no other state really does this to this extent," said Erica Baldwin with the State Employees Association of North Carolina, which represents 55,000 workers.
State worker Macy Hartsfield said, "it's going to be hard for a lot of people, especially if you would have to join some type of work out facility. That is a cost."
The state is expanding free programs to help workers quit smoking and lose weight.
Workers who smoke will start paying more for health care in 2010. Those who are obese will start paying more in 2011. There are exceptions for people with medical conditions that do not allow them to lose weight.
North Carolina is only the second state to charge obese employees more for health insurance.
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Comments
By Richard Ketchie on 11/01 05:05 PM
I do agree that smoking and obesity are bad for society, however, how can the state tell one group or certain groups of people they will have to pay more based on certain lifestyle choices? This seems like some sort of discrimination to me. Some consider a homosexual lifestyle to be a high risk lifestyle (higher incidence of drug use, higher risk of HIV/AIDS) but is the state going tell homosexuals they have to change their sexual preference or pay more for health insurance? I seriously doubt it! And if that's the case then they don't have the right to force any employee to pay more regardless of the reason.
By Nunyabiz on 10/14 07:54 AM
All the more reason that we need universal Health Care for all.................... It is time for the USA to catch up to the rest of the world. We need to stop listening to these republican nut bags & disgraceful blue dawgs that are clearly being bought and paid for by big insurance companies.
By Jeff Tilghman on 10/10 06:39 PM
The state has no business telling its employee what kind of lifestyle to live. This is a strong arm tactic to control the lives of its employees. SEANC should be opposing these decisions. There are better ways to control insurance cost by... better management maybe? This is not a novel concept. They should try this instead of putting the blame on someone else. This sounds like a "witch hunt".
By Meaghan on 10/09 12:23 PM
It's good there offering programs to help these people, but it's not fair that these health situations outweigh other ones. Just because they are the more popular ones does not mean they should be charged. The price needs to be set in relation to everyone's health. I can see how healthy people might feel frustrated for having to pay for people who don't take care of themselves. It's frustrating and difficult to deal with, but maybe it'll be a good incentive to help others live healthier lives.
By Pat on 10/09 01:01 AM
What about some one with anorexia, that is pretty expensive to treat requiring hospitalization.
By Larry on 10/08 05:21 PM
Will this include our Legislators too? Plenty of fat-cats there!
By Joan on 10/08 03:52 PM
This is crazy! The State Health Care Plan has been poorly managed over the years that's why it is in the financial crisis that it is in. The state doesn't provide workout facilities and yet they want people to loose weight! How hypocritical of these lawmakers!
By Joanne Hughes on 10/08 11:42 AM
So how do they plan to police this? I may or may not be overweight...my co worker may be underweight as well, what's the difference? This is wrong and it's the people making these decisions that should pay more for being just stupid!
By Mike Jernigan on 10/07 08:23 PM
Next it will cost more to anyone who does'nt have Blue Eyes and Blonde Hair. Sound Familiar?
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