Need some help... Shame on me for not paying attention in class...

[Glassunion]

I'll admit it. I have not been paying too much attention to the recent health care changes that have been made. Now it is coming full circle on me... I think.

Our company's insurance provider has handed down new mandates as per the new reforms(so they say) that have passed. The one that struck me the most were the annual "checkups" that the insurance provider is giving.

Two weeks ago we were told that we had to sign up for what they called "biometrics". If we did not participate in the "biometrics" our premiums would double. I currently pay $130 a month for health care, so as I cannot afford $260 a month I participated. Here is what happened.

1. We had blood drawn(non-fasting).
2. We were weighed.
3. Our height was measured.
4. Our pulse and blood pressure were measured.

We were informed that if we scored poorly in the biometrics and that if we do not improve before next year's biometrics, our premiums will increase. Basically, if you have high blood pressure and it does not improve by next year's test, you will be fined by the insurance company. I understand the need for people to have preventative medicine. It is one of the greatest things that people can do. But here is where I have some problems.

Here are my results:
BMI: 21.6 = According to the insurance company I am perfectly in the green, not overweight, not underweight.
Blood Pressure: 122/78 = According to the insurance company I am in the red. I have spoken to my doctor and she stated that I have almost a textbook blood pressure(120/80).
Cholesterol overall: 210. Both my insurance company and I feel that it is high, and I have no issue with this. However my good cholesterol is 33% higher(really good) than normal. But my bad does need work.
Resting Pulse: 68 = I was in the red again, they are saying it should be at 60 or below. But my doctor again feels that this is normal.

I have people that work with me who are in really great shape who are in the red for their BMI and I cannot understand why the would be penalized for being in great shape? One of them had a BMI of 26.2 which they say is overweight. The guy has a 34 inch waist and a 54 inch chest and could probably bench press a small car... WTF?

Am I just seeing a corporation, who is trying to leverage the new health care reform into stripping more and more money wherever they can? Are they trying to take advantage of what is supposed to be a good thing? I'm thinking yes, however I am quite uninformed... And that is indeed my bad.

[Cleita]

1. Considering most of the reforms aren't going into

effect until 2014, this doesn't seem right to me. I would contact your State Insurance Commissioner or even Kathleen Sibelius's office in Washington DC and find out if they can legally do this.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Even if what they're doing is legal, it is bullshit.

They are trying to make it so you'll have to pay more for your insurance. I am a retired RN, and I think your doctor is right on.

First, and most important: ANY blood work needs to be fasting. Nothing by mouth since midnight, and done as early in the morning as is practical.

Your BP is great; your BMI is great; your heart rate is great. And so is your resting heart rate.

I don't know what recourse you have, but what they're doing is just simply wrong. Yes, they want more of your money.

Good luck!

:hi:

[Glassunion]

6. Thankfully I work for one of the best companies.

They are fighting a lot of these things for us. In all honesty my only concern is my bad cholesterol. I know why it is bad and I'm working on improving it(more exercise and less bad fats in my food). I have to get my HDLs down about 13 points.

Why can't every company in the world be like mine? A nice family owned company that cares a lot about their people. Here is the kicker, in the midst of this recession we had our most profitable year. Company took care of us and the bottom line followed. No layoffs, no labor cutbacks and we managed to improve our overall benefit offerings to the employees and our families. Shame is that our owner is a Republican, I'd like to see him in office.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. It's good to try and get your cholesterol down yourself.

But remember that a lot of that is manufactured by your body, not ingested by you.

Mine used to be high too, and I tried the dietary thing. It helped. Then I went on the standard drug, and now it's perfect. I no longer worry.

Talk to your doctor about the drugs.

I'm glad to hear about your company. They obviously know what they're doing!

Your owner must be one of those rare good Republicans.

[Glassunion]

9. Yeah. Our financials are open to the entire company.

Our owner and the board use their tax breaks that the company gets and rolls it into our company's income. Every full time employee in the company received a percentage of their total annual income(mine is 7%) then multiplied that total by 1.38 and gave it to us in a profit sharing paycheck. So, I would say he is a Republican for wanting the tax break, but a Liberal for giving that same money to all of his employees and growing the business. He is about as rare as the Spotted Owl.

Also, his paycheck from the company has been the same for the past 8 years even though the company gas grown by almost 50%. I think he is a Liberal, but is afraid to admit it.

[boobooday]

3. This is ridiculous

Something is not right here. This has nothing to do with the health care reform bill, and everything to do with the insurance company looking for an excuse to jack up premiums.

[regnaD kciN]

4. Or, more likely, an excuse...

...to drop coverage of as many "higher-risk" people as possible before the ban on pre-existing conditions takes effect in 2014.

Or, in addition, a way to take action just before a crucial election that would upset and frighten as many people as possible, blame it on "the new health-care law," and thus encourage people to vote for Republicans who would repeal/defund that law, and so guarantee continued giant profits into your insurer's bank account.

[HuckleB]

5. Sounds like you paid attention, just fine.

Yes, this sounds like another insurance company scam.

[Glassunion]

7. No I did not pay attention.

I can just smell bull shit.

I will fully admit that during the entire health care reform debate, I was not paying attention at all and do not have a leg to stand on in a debate on health care.