company trying to monitor my health without my doc's input

What is the name of your state?
Massachusetts

My company (a daily newspaper) has decided to take a more active interest in the health of its employees. As of Jan. 1, 2005, we will all have to have a physical - on company time by a company-hired drone, plus complete a questionnaire that asks about everything from breast exams to mental health. We are not allowed to sign a form waiving this info from our regular doctor. Employee spouses must also submit to this or be dropped from the plan. (I assume our children are next in line.)

We were told that "this is part of a growing trend" but no one can find any info to support that. Is it? I assume this is legal, but what laws support it? How can HMO-company approved physcians suddenly be incompetent to monitor our health, if they have been on the HMO plan all along?

And, if it is a trend, I assume it's caused distress elsewhere, and did anyone take legal action?

Thanks.

[Beth3]

Your employer is instituting a wellness plan for employees with on-site health screenings. Specific information about your health will be provided to you and only to you.

The employer will only receive an overall summary report to use as a baseline going forward to measure whether their willness initiatives are proving effective.

This all is completely legal and yes, it is a growing trend as employers continue to experience massive increases in their health insurance premiums.