# Anyone use Blue Cross/Blue Shield "Wellness Program"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252 "2019-10-24T19:32:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/41 "2019-10-27T06:44:41Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Well, I do. One of my former workplaces had a wellness program type of thing where they decided they should start screening for colon cancer. They sent emails to their employees asking for details on what their shit looked like, with cartoon turds to choose from. Aw no! That’s not invasive or embarrassing at all! Not every wellness plan is good. But a company cannot force a employee to participate in a wellness program. Though the question of whether or not participation is truly voluntary is a legitimate question given the monetary cost of not participating. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/42 "2019-10-27T13:21:56Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > No, it DOESN’T “even up”; that’s the point. A smoker, on average, costs the health insurer more than a non-smoker of the same age. The conditions caused or exacerbated by smoking include not just lung cancer and COPD but stroke, coronary heart disease, other kinds of cancer, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and decreased immune response (among others). Smokers tend to get the same “old age diseases that cost big time”; they just get those diseases in middle age, where the expense is borne by private insurers rather than Medicare… > If I’m paying more for my health insurance to subsidize the premiums of those who choose to smoke and thereby has greater healthcare costs, that is money coming directly out of my pocket. Why do you think issues that directly affect my pocketbook are not my business? So do you want to help pay for other’s medical problems through private insurance premiums or through taxes funding Medicare? Doesn’t Medicare taxes come directly out of your pocket? ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/43 "2019-10-27T15:17:19Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > If these penalty policies resulted from employees complaining about their co-workers habits to their bosses as you posted, then it’s not that different from turning someone in for anti-social behavior in a totalitarian society hoping for a reward. It’s only the scale of brutality that’s less. I didn’t post that anyone complained **to their bosses**. You made that up. The health insurance company which designs and implements a wellness program is not the employee’s boss, for one thing. They have an idea for how to encourage healthier behaviors and therefore control costs at the same time as rewarding the members (employees of company X) who are unhappy with paying the same premiums as coworkers who they perceive as having less healthy habits, and they marketed that to the employer. If your former employer contracted with a company that sent out emails with cartoon poop, that’s on them. ---
**Author:** ![RingsOfPylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3da27b/32.png) [@RingsOfPylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RingsOfPylon)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/44 "2019-10-27T15:50:18Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > It’s not a violation of HIPAA, which applies to medical personnel/facilities. The transfer of any personal health information without a release from the patient is a HIPAA violation and the violator will be pounded with fines. Big fines, not jaywalking citations. It doesn’t matter if you’re a medical facility or a provider or if you simply hold health-related records without providing any direct services. If that info gets into the wild, even accidentally, there will be a big price to pay. We have to go through annoying training several times per year about the many ways in which HIPAA can be violated. We are not a medical facility, but we do house transactions for our clients and we host a call center for members who want to enroll in a program or who have questions about existing transactions. As to wellness programs, most employers have a firewall between the employer and the wellness program, and the wellness program is usually administered by a third party, not the employer. If that’s not the case, I’d be very careful. Still, some employers give a lot of latitude to their wellness programs, and they can be quite intrusive. If you are signing any medical release forms, please read them carefully. You need to know who, exactly, will get to see your personal health information, both immediately and eventually. I have a low opinion of wellness programs, but can hardly blame people for making use of discounts, no matter how ill-conceived. Health insurance is expensive and your employer knows that you will likely jump on a discount for something that appears harmless. For a single person like me who does not have any health problems, it’s not worth the $30 every 2 weeks. I’ll use it for the tax deduction and forego the time and expense of unnecessary trips to labs or other testing facilities. It’s probably worth it for people who are hammered by the premiums for family coverage, which is not cheap. I refuse my employer’s wellness program because they provide no real medical value while being simultaneously intrusive. They will sometimes have you jumping through arbitrary and unproductive hoops. I don’t give that kind of power over to other people, but realize that different people have different motivations and different tolerances. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/45 "2019-10-27T18:58:58Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > I didn’t post that anyone complained **to their bosses**. You made that up. The health insurance company which designs and implements a wellness program is not the employee’s boss, for one thing. They have an idea for how to encourage healthier behaviors and therefore control costs at the same time as rewarding the members (employees of company X) who are unhappy with paying the same premiums as coworkers who they perceive as having less healthy habits, and they marketed that to the employer. If your former employer contracted with a company that sent out emails with cartoon poop, that’s on them. You said wellness programs were a response to employees complaining that they shouldn’t have to pay the same premiums as Chuck from Accounts Payable who smokes like a chimney. Maybe these complaints weren’t so exact and personal as actually turning in specific people with bad habits, but it still shows a disgusting degree of cheap pettiness. You’re bitching that Chuck should pay ten dollars more a month than you because of his cigarettes? Please. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/46 "2019-10-27T19:56:47Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Maybe these complaints weren’t so exact and personal as actually turning in specific people with bad habits, but it still shows a disgusting degree of cheap pettiness. You’re bitching that Chuck should pay ten dollars more a month than you because of his cigarettes? Please. I think he’s bitching that he shouldn’t have to spend $10 more a month because of Chuck’s cigarettes. What Chuck spends is Chuck’s business. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/47 "2019-10-28T00:28:42Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > You said wellness programs were a response to employees complaining that they shouldn’t have to pay the same premiums as Chuck from Accounts Payable who smokes like a chimney. > > Maybe these complaints weren’t so exact and personal as actually turning in specific people with bad habits, but it still shows a disgusting degree of cheap pettiness. You’re bitching that Chuck should pay ten dollars more a month than you because of his cigarettes? Please. Again, you’re assuming things that I never once said. Where did I, personally, give _any_ opinion on the wellness programs at all, let alone bitch about anyone else’s habits? You seem to have a need to read ill intent into a lot of situations. I was perfectly neutral and factual here, and yet you’ve continued to attribute intent and attitude to my words that is not there. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/48 "2019-10-28T02:32:45Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > So do you want to help pay for other’s medical problems through private insurance premiums or through taxes funding Medicare? Doesn’t Medicare taxes come directly out of your pocket? I want the people who have made deliberate choices that raise their healthcare costs to pay for those choices instead of foisting the bill off on other people, regardless of whether they’re on Medicare or private insurance. With freedom comes responsibility. Direct medical costs for smoking-related illnesses now exceed $130 billion a year in the US ([cite](https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/tobacco/consequences-smoking-factsheet/index.html)); other sources suggest the figure is closer to $160-170 billion. Somebody has to pay this; why shouldn’t Chuck in Accounts Payable who smokes like a chimney pay a greater share than Yvonne in Receivables who has never smoked a day in her life? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/49 "2019-10-28T02:39:16Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Again, you’re assuming things that I never once said. Where did I, personally, give _any_ opinion on the wellness programs at all, let alone bitch about anyone else’s habits? > > You seem to have a need to read ill intent into a lot of situations. I was perfectly neutral and factual here, and yet you’ve continued to attribute intent and attitude to my words that is not there. Fine, you never felt the slightest inclination to complain about your health premiums compared to what others with bad health habits had to pay. You were only pointing out why wellness programs exist. My apologies for any angst I might have caused. C’mon Chuck, let’s go out for a beer. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/50 "2019-10-28T02:44:50Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > I want the people who have made deliberate choices that raise their healthcare costs to pay for those choices instead of foisting the bill off on other people, regardless of whether they’re on Medicare or private insurance. With freedom comes responsibility. > > Direct medical costs for smoking-related illnesses now exceed $130 billion a year in the US ([cite](https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/tobacco/consequences-smoking-factsheet/index.html)); other sources suggest the figure is closer to $160-170 billion. Somebody has to pay this; why shouldn’t Chuck in Accounts Payable who smokes like a chimney pay a greater share than Yvonne in Receivables who has never smoked a day in her life? Me and Chuck are going out fot a beer. Why don’t you and Yvonne go eat some carrots or something? ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/51 "2019-10-28T02:45:58Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Fine, you never felt the slightest inclination to complain about your health premiums compared to what others with bad health habits had to pay. You were only pointing out why wellness programs exist. > My apologies for any angst I might have caused. > > C’mon Chuck, let’s go out for a beer. I actually never have complained about it. I used to work adjacent to my job’s benefits department and I had knowledge to contribute to the how and why of wellness programs. I do find you deeply unpleasant, I have to say. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/52 "2019-10-28T04:21:38Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > I actually never have complained about it. I used to work adjacent to my job’s benefits department and I had knowledge to contribute to the how and why of wellness programs. > > I do find you deeply unpleasant, I have to say. Yeah, well, freedom fighters have to be unpleasant sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/53 "2019-10-28T11:08:46Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Yeah, well, freedom fighters have to be unpleasant sometimes. _Freedom fighters_ usually respond when someone calls them out on their.mistakes and generally avoid making shit up wholesale, but you do you. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/54 "2019-10-28T14:21:47Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Fine, you never felt the slightest inclination to complain about your health premiums compared to what others with bad health habits had to pay. You were only pointing out why wellness programs exist. > My apologies for any angst I might have caused. > > C’mon Chuck, let’s go out for a beer. Hmph. See if I ever apologize to you ever again. Aw, now see what you did? You made Chuck cry. Now they’re sending him for depression counselling, and I’m missing out on my beer. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/55 "2019-10-28T14:31:30Z")
Well, Chuck’s in luck! The wellness program has just added a virtual coach, so he can participate from the bar, on his mobile device. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/56 "2019-10-28T14:53:21Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > The last time I had to apply for my own health insurance, monthly premiums were higher for smokers. Because it costs far more for healthcare of a smoker than an equivalent nonsmoker. Define “smokers”. I never know how to answer, so when asked if I’m a “smoker” I always answer, “I do not use tobacco in any form”. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/57 "2019-10-28T15:18:12Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Well, Chuck’s in luck! The wellness program has just added a virtual coach, so he can participate from the bar, on his mobile device. What, wellness programs at a bar??? That’s almost as invasive as cartoon turd surveys. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/58 "2019-10-28T17:23:09Z")
**Moderator Note** **lorene** and **Two Many Cats** , stop the snipping. This is IMHO so both of you are free to express your opinions about the topic, but that doesn’t mean you get to snip at each other. Restrict your opinions to the actual topic at hand and dial the snippiness way back. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/59 "2019-10-29T12:48:24Z")
Chuck is wondering where the hell everybody went. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252/60 "2019-10-29T13:51:14Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Chuck is wondering where the hell everybody went. Smoke break. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-blue-cross-blue-shield-wellness-program/842252.md?page=2)