Is this fair?

[meaculpa2011]

I just looked into a healthcare sharing service for my son. He'll be 26 soon and needs health insurance. The monthly premiums are very reasonable, but the plan offers a 20% discount for healthy lifestyle choices. He's overweight and smokes so he doesn't qualify for the discount. If he gives up cigarettes and reduces his waist size to less than 38" he'll qualify.

I'll be thrilled if this motivates him change his ways.

[Quantess]

1. I am not going to comment on whether it's fair.

Last edited Tue Jun 26, 2012, 07:30 AM - Edit history (1)

This made me think about countries with universal health care. As far as I know, the people pay for single payer healthcare in taxes, which are based on income, not how fat they are or whether they smoke. They (smokers and the overweight) tend to use medical services more often, so in some countries where they pay a nominal fee every time they visit the doctor, they would pay a little more in that regard. But really, that doesn't add up to much more.

Does paying more for health insurance motivate people to change their ways? I don't know, but people in europe tend to be slimmer than in the US anyway.

[Dalai_1]

2. In NC

"Employers turn to tough love Health Incentives"

http://www.healthymagination.com/blog/employers-turn-to-tough-love-health-incentives/