biometric screening results at work

[cookiedough]

Anybody ever had to do them to get a cheaper health insurance rate out of your paycheck at work?

I had one recently and have to score 75% or better being fair to save 50 bucks (over 1/2 the cost) of bi-weekly single insurance premiums.  I got 74.5% and although heavy set at 279lbs.,  my BMI score was ZERO out of 6 and body fat content 1 out of 6 points is all.  I was 220 in college and 200 in high school in good shape some 30 years ago so a 60lb. or so weight gain in 30 years almost is not too bad.  All the rest of my results were fine and scored well.  To score a ZERO out of 6 to me means NO muscle mass and a big fat blob which I carry my weight fairly well overall and although cannot run a mile, can easily push mow my grass and walk several miles no problems.  All I needed was a 1 out of 6 and gained 1/2 percent to save over 50 bucks every 2 weeks in premiums.  I am going to HR tomorrow to fight the results but am sure nothing they can do about it is an independent testing facility.  I can see an 80% fair to good rating,  but not even in fair shape is totally unjust simply because I have a mid-section is all and always have. 

I talked to the younger HR lady also overweight and she has major health issues and she still scored she said over 75% being the limit.  I think they did it to screw the newbies thinking it will help recoupe the cost of the premiums the employer pays a tad.  Never been really sick a day of my life no smoking and limited drinking and somewhat fit for a guy my weight. 

The nurse who did my measurements and bloodwork stated most places do not just go much off BMI anymore since she was heavier than me and can run circles she said around her younger sister being very skinny.    She I guess was wrong in saying that??

I have always been heavy set (bigger mid-section is all), but I put this in a much worse category than smoking or drinking or other major medical issues which I have never had. 

I might ask my boss tomorrow if she got over 75% fair results since she is pretty heavy as well being only age 39 but really none of my business suppose to be private results.   I can see if glucose or cholesterol or blood pressure bad, but none were of any concern with glucose just slightly high is all. 

Shoot, they take off 18 points if you smoke being 2-4 times more points than any of the other results and yet my perfect score of 18 non smoking still was not enough to get 75%.  I can not run a mile anymore, but certainly can walk several miles in one day and I think that is 'fair'. 

[doubletee]

I flatly refuse to do the biometric screening at work. My health data is none of their %*#)@^$($ business. The only reason they are collecting this info is to eventually turn around and use it against people to charge higher premiums for various things. They will set the threshold for every measurement, no matter how arbitrary, and then up the premiums when one exceeds one or more. Screw 'em.   /rant off

[Serk]

Paging Mr. Meyer, Paging Mr. Daniel Meyer to this thread please.

[Robert]

Yup and all the voluntary DNA test being done what do you think is going to happen to them. Just like auto insurance today they will hit you with every little thing and find reasons to deny you.

[Jess from VA]

I flatly refuse to do the biometric screening at work. My health data is none of their %*#)@^$($ business. The only reason they are collecting this info is to eventually turn around and use it against people to charge higher premiums for various things. They will set the threshold for every measurement, no matter how arbitrary, and then up the premiums when one exceeds one or more. Screw 'em.  /rant off

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment.  

They keep inviting me to come in for one, and I keep throwing it away (and don't answer any call not from known numbers).  They offer me a small reimbursement to coverage or deductible (like 40 bucks).  Whenever they offer something for free, it's time to put your hand over your bung hole and run away.

Health insurance......... just as trustworthy as government.   (whydon'tjablowme) 

[Serk]

Health insurance......... just as trustworthy as government.   (whydon'tjablowme) 

And when the two of 'em get in bed together, we're all screwed, and I'm talking about the no-lube, no buying you dinner first, bend over, here it comes kind of screwed...

[cookiedough]

well if you do not do the biometric screening automatically the premiums are over double the cost so nothing to loose except as all say NONE of their business how much I weigh, etc., etc., etc.

Basically about another 50 bucks every 2 weeks out of my pocket and that is GAS money. 

I talked to the HR lady and she agreed I am not skinny by any means but NOT round ball and unable to do the basics anyone else can do (except run a mile of course) but my job does not require me to run.

I talked to one lady and did not ask too much since she can be a bitch at times and she smokes but does not do the biometric screening she said so guessing she does not care to pay MORE every 2 weeks and as you say,  NONE of anyone's business if you smoke or drink or eat too much, etc.  If a smoker, auto fail so she figures why bother taking the tests.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

My old job started trying to force employees to answer an online health form. I looked at it and it was obvious it was only a starting point so I didn't do it, and, like Jess, didn't answer calls from unknown sources. Soon I was getting voice mails from the insurance people asking about it and trying to influence me to go in for a physical since many of the questions could only be answered by a doctors visit anyway. I continued to ignore it for several years until I left there and I advised the other employees to do the same. Admittedly, there was a slight insurance discount if you got into the program.

Most of them just didn't have "fighting authority" in their genes so eventually I was the only one left in the plant who refused to take part in or even talk to the "insurance nurse". After the other employees took the physical, they started getting calls from the "insurance nurse" who would tell them this number or that number was too high or too low and if they didn't get it up or down they would be fined. The fines were higher than the discount of course.

So the way it wound up was that I payed less than they did by staying completely out of the program and refusing to talk to them about it at all. On top of that, my business stayed my business which would have been worth a lot of money to me anyway.

Your results may vary.

[Jess from VA]

Other pressing medical questions:

Are there firearms in the household?  NO   How many? 

Do you ride a motorcycle (or skydive)?  NO

Do you sometimes get depressed or angry?  Only when I have to fill out this questionnaire.

Do you have chronic constipation?   See answer above.

And in all seriousness, never forget the plan to get all our medical records in some sort of national database.    So much for doctor-patient privilege.  Whydon'tjablowme?

[doubletee]

well if you do not do the biometric screening automatically the premiums are over double the cost so nothing to loose except as all say NONE of their business how much I weigh, etc., etc., etc.

Basically about another 50 bucks every 2 weeks out of my pocket and that is GAS money. 

It costs me an extra 10% above the normal premium cost to not participate. Well worth it to me.

[Daniel Meyer]

They stabbed me in the arms 15 times this year while I was trying to comply...my doc has to sign a form that says I'm a cooperative patient and he's treating me to be a 20-year old athlete. Pretty much means he can prescribe anything and require tests to make sure I'm compliant...

Talk about "no refusal"...

It would cost me $6000 over the normal premiums not to participate...

It will cost me $3600 over the normal premiums because I'm not a 20-year old athlete.

I'm also forced to sign a form that says this is all "voluntary" and my medical records are available to the "health diagnostics company" for whatever use they see fit and they have no liability for any problems or misuse...

[Jess from VA]

No joke, that sounds a lot like organized crime technique and business.  (extortion)   

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have no experience with this. But aren't most insurance rates based on the risks of the insured filing claims ? Such as teenage boys rates triple a 40 year old woman's ? It seems if I was in the business I would charge a smoker more than a non smoker.

[Daniel Meyer]

I have no experience with this. But aren't most insurance rates based on the risks of the insured filing claims ? Such as teenage boys rates triple a 40 year old woman's ? It seems if I was in the business I would charge a smoker more than a non smoker.

Group insurance pools are established to spread the risk over the pool...thus enabling folks that might actually need coverage to get coverage. It is (was) illegal (in Texas) to discriminate rate/coverage wise on age, sex, job risk, preexisting conditions, etc.

ACA threw a wrench in the works. How far it's broken hasn't been determined yet.

And all this changes even more when it's a federal law that you must buy the product...

[frosty]

Also dont know if in your state. But here they are having the Drs. ask patients if there is a gun in the household. Another None of there business ques.

[doubletee]

They stabbed me in the arms 15 times this year while I was trying to comply...my doc has to sign a form that says I'm a cooperative patient and he's treating me to be a 20-year old athlete. Pretty much means he can prescribe anything and require tests to make sure I'm compliant...

Talk about "no refusal"...

It would cost me $6000 over the normal premiums not to participate...

It will cost me $3600 over the normal premiums because I'm not a 20-year old athlete.

I'm also forced to sign a form that says this is all "voluntary" and my medical records are available to the "health diagnostics company" for whatever use they see fit and they have no liability for any problems or misuse...

   (That's just pure, unadulterated BS.)

[Daniel Meyer]

They stabbed me in the arms 15 times this year while I was trying to comply...my doc has to sign a form that says I'm a cooperative patient and he's treating me to be a 20-year old athlete. Pretty much means he can prescribe anything and require tests to make sure I'm compliant...

Talk about "no refusal"...

It would cost me $6000 over the normal premiums not to participate...

It will cost me $3600 over the normal premiums because I'm not a 20-year old athlete.

I'm also forced to sign a form that says this is all "voluntary" and my medical records are available to the "health diagnostics company" for whatever use they see fit and they have no liability for any problems or misuse...

    (That's just pure, unadulterated BS.)

Yep, biggest corporate welfare package passed in the whole history of the whole history...my insurance is now (before the surcharges) TEN times more expensive than it was in 2008. Our first "screening" was just "informational". Now it's mandatory with extreme penalties. Coming soon to a plan near you.

And then today, in a pure and unadulterated explosion of irony...my company publishes this:
http://beta.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2016/09/13/workplace-wellness-programs-total-sham

[fudgie]

Ours do so to speak but voluntary. To get reduced ins premiums they started a point system. Gotta hv so many points by dec and your rates will be cut. You get points by doing the labs, heath screens, a daily journal, etc. Its a bunch of bull. My ins went from $80 to $50 ish every 2 weeks. So its not bad.

[Simmy74]

And where is the offset for company induced stress, caused by management miss planning,  resulting in spikes in mandatory overtime, lack of sleep, marital strain in the household, missing trips to the gym, lack of sleep,  and low self esteem from forced performance ranking policies etc...

[Simmy74]

I'm usually not this negative,  I just find myself venting here where uncomfortable things get discussed more often.

Sorry guys

[fudgie]

And where is the offset for company induced stress, caused by management miss planning,  resulting in spikes in mandatory overtime, lack of sleep, marital strain in the household, missing trips to the gym, lack of sleep,  and low self esteem from forced performance ranking policies etc...

Ah so your talking about EMS. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

And where is the offset for company induced stress, caused by management miss planning,  resulting in spikes in mandatory overtime, lack of sleep, marital strain in the household, missing trips to the gym, lack of sleep,  and low self esteem from forced performance ranking policies etc...

Ah so your talking about EMS. 

I feel bad for you guys. My job is pretty stress free. Everything's already dead by the time I get to it. 

[cookiedough]

And where is the offset for company induced stress, caused by management miss planning,  resulting in spikes in mandatory overtime, lack of sleep, marital strain in the household, missing trips to the gym, lack of sleep,  and low self esteem from forced performance ranking policies etc...

that be me

not greatly upset about the increase in rates (although is over double rate) but find it total b.s. in the first place.   My wifes employer charges a TON more for smokers vs. nonsmokers but nothing else.  If overweight,  not an issue there.  I went to HR and they will get back to me since ONLY being overweight by say 70 lbs. tops according to the industry standards which is also b.s. since been that way my entire life,  should NOT just put me at a not even 'fair/passing' condition.  I bet I can do more heavy labor than 70% of the 'good' condition people there, except not running anymore, but my job is sitting at a desk 90% of the day so not like physically demanding, just mentally draining.   ONLY 1/2 percent below fair condition.  HR said she will see how many others in the results are at 74.5% just shy of 75% passing.  If there are more than just me at that same percentage,  sounds fishy results if you ask me.  I even emailed the health solutions office conducting the evaluations and told them what I thought in detail.  She responded there stating she will look into it, she better or I just might run over there and show her what a NONFAIR condition person can do.    

 I knew I was not going to above good/fair condition (say 80%), but below fair to me means NOT able to do my job physically speaking.  

We have a 61 year old lady who can barely walk the steps at work, I did not ask if she passed but guessing so maybe??  

ranking me at a 0 out of a possible 6 for BMI is a joke and that is exactly what I told hr and that company who conducted the results.  If even a 1 out of 6 and would have passed and I am thinking am a 2 or 3 for sure out of 6.   Don't they say muscle weighs twice as much as fat (except my gutt of course)?