What is the name of your state? TX
My company is requiring all employees to take a 'health survey'. The survey is billed as 'voluntary' but if you don't take it, your rates go up 30%; if you do take it, they go up 10%.
The survey is asking questions that I consider being extremely personal. They ask your BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, what chronic conditions you have, do you ever feel unhappy, do you belong to a religious organization, do you do volunteer work, do you work a second job, etc. They also ask what issues do you talk to your doctor about, do you ever try to treat yourself at home, etc. Based on the answers, they (an outside third party hired by the company) will come back with a directed health 'course of action' plan for you to follow. It is "highly recommended" that you follow the 'course of action' plan you receive. No word yet on what happens if you don't.
People with chronic conditions (diabetics, high blood pressure, etc.) may be facing higher premiums. I was recently diagnosed with a low thyroid. It is a chronic condition and it is hereditary. While some type of diabetes and to a degree, high blood pressure, can be avoided with the 'right lifestyle', a low thyroid can't. You either get it or you don't. It's all in the genes. To be penalized for something you cannot avoid really sucks.
My legal question is this: does the HIPPA (sp?) laws (or any other laws) offer any degree of privacy that I can use to stop the company from becoming my doctor? For them to "recommend" a course of action on my health seem the height of big brother-ness. I am also concerned as to why what I do outside of work (say at my church) is any business of my company. Is it legal for them to require you to tell all about your after work activities?
My company is requiring all employees to take a 'health survey'. The survey is billed as 'voluntary' but if you don't take it, your rates go up 30%; if you do take it, they go up 10%.
The survey is asking questions that I consider being extremely personal. They ask your BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, what chronic conditions you have, do you ever feel unhappy, do you belong to a religious organization, do you do volunteer work, do you work a second job, etc. They also ask what issues do you talk to your doctor about, do you ever try to treat yourself at home, etc. Based on the answers, they (an outside third party hired by the company) will come back with a directed health 'course of action' plan for you to follow. It is "highly recommended" that you follow the 'course of action' plan you receive. No word yet on what happens if you don't.
People with chronic conditions (diabetics, high blood pressure, etc.) may be facing higher premiums. I was recently diagnosed with a low thyroid. It is a chronic condition and it is hereditary. While some type of diabetes and to a degree, high blood pressure, can be avoided with the 'right lifestyle', a low thyroid can't. You either get it or you don't. It's all in the genes. To be penalized for something you cannot avoid really sucks.
My legal question is this: does the HIPPA (sp?) laws (or any other laws) offer any degree of privacy that I can use to stop the company from becoming my doctor? For them to "recommend" a course of action on my health seem the height of big brother-ness. I am also concerned as to why what I do outside of work (say at my church) is any business of my company. Is it legal for them to require you to tell all about your after work activities?