Employers Tie Financial Rewards, Penalties To Health Tests, Lifestyle Choices

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/stories/2012/april/02/employers-financial-rewards-penalties-health-tests.aspx?referrer=search

The federal health law allows employers to increase those financial incentives from 20 percent of the cost of the health coverage to 30 percent. 

NCP offers workers financial incentives to participate in wellness programs, including getting flu shots and checking blood pressure. Those who sign up for a stop-smoking class get credit for paid time off, Cook said. And the firm discusses health costs with workers.

“We’re very honest about the cost of our plan,” said Cook, whose firm is self-insured. “We tell people if you control the cost of the health plan, if you’re lively and well, it will cost us less.”

Dr. Huntoon’s Perspective

I believe Forrest Cook, vice president of human resources at NCP Solutions, is being sincere in his assessment.  AND, as the Vice President of HR at his company, he is expected to contain costs and justify his salary.  In other words, there needs to be a profit at the end of the day.  Business is business, and if you want to stay in business, you need to make a profit.  They just need to make it palatable for the employee.   

My question is, “How do they afford to implement a program and still cover the costs of those who will need to use their insurance policy for health concerns because they do not take an active prevention life-style?  AND how can they still be able to bonus those who are being pro-active?”  Is the cost of the program generating enough money to cover the health care costs (plus the administration costs, and any “incidentals” that always seem to be involved for everyone enrolled) necessary and allow it to generate enough money over and above what is necessary to run such a program in order to be able to give “kick-backs” to those who are taking a pro-active healthy life-style?  In order for any “plan” to work financially, the cost of the program per person must be able to cover the cost of the program in case of some catastrophe.  So the bonus rewards and kick-backs will naturally have to be built into the employees’ contribution.  And I am sure the money being collected will be invested in some sort of investment plan in an effort to capitalize on the money being collected to bonus the administrators for running such a program.  No one works for free and the costs of doing such a program have to be profitable.  I’m certain any program, employer or government, will be for profit, and that means people are paying more than what is necessary.  I am also sure that the reason for the “screenings” is to find potential business in administering treatment to those who have problems.  It allows the practitioners to take advantage of making money as the providers for the “health care” plans. And I am sure the providers will need to pay into the program to become one of the “Preferred providers” to treat all the people who have a positive test from the screenings.  Likewise, being a “preferred provider” means accepting less in payment for the service just to have access to all the potential for service.  So to make a profit there, the practitioners MUST find things to justify their time and effort to make a living, hence the “screenings.”  And it will continue to be the same system with everyone participating in it versus the number who currently do not, last estimated at 40 million.  Imagine all the money that will be generated if another 40 million people are now paying into a system that they were not paying into before.  Now it is clear why this “National Healthcare System” needs to be implemented and implemented soon.  It is about making money, period.  And at what cost to you, the consumer?

For example, Allstate Auto Insurance has commercials for “Safe Drivers Discount.”  What they do not tell you is you pay your premium upfront, and if you do not have an accident, then they will refund you some of what you paid initially.  They frame it around getting a bonus check, which is not really a bonus check, it is a simple refund because you didn’t cost them any money after they have used your money to make themselves a bigger profit by investing it for 6 months. 

Still The Same Problem

 

At the end of the day, we are not teaching people how to take care of themselves without it costing an arm and a leg.  We continue to allow poor nutritional habits to dominate, continue to bastardize the food and continue to sell Completely Refined And Processed (CRAP) food that promotes health concerns in an effort to keep the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry moving along.  If we continue to pay high costs for health insurance without educating people on how to truly be responsible for their health, meaning to take full ownership of their health, we will continue to have health concerns that we needn’t have, except to continue to pay into a broken system that puts people last and profits first.   

If you want to step out of that system and learn what it takes to truly be healthy, please strongly consider contacting Advanced Alternative Medicine Center at 845-561-BACK (2225) and go to www.spineboy.com for your Action Plans and Solutions to All Your Healthcare Needs.    

 

Dr. Huntoon has a single mission:

To support as many people as possible in their quest for health and enable them to improve and maintain their health to the highest level possible, while educating them about the benefits of Chiropractic, Natural Healthcare and Holistic Living, so they in turn can teach others to support us having a healthy community.

Your Choice

• Continue doing the same thing and nothing changes or it may get worse

OR

• Try something different and get a different result that makes you happier and healthier.