City Offers Workers Wellness Program With Penalty for Not Participating

Photo by Flickr user swanksalot.

The city is offering a wellness program for city employees that is similar to those offered by private sector health insurance programs. And as a penalty for not participating, city employees will pay an extra $50 per month for their insurance programs.

"You can't ask the public to pay for something that you need to take responsibility (for)," Emanuel told the Tribune. "We will help you be a good steward of your health, but if you choose not to, you'll pay that price, and that's the price you'll pay."

The wellness program would offer help for managing obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking cessation. Those who succeed in the program could see price reductions. The city hopes to save $240 million in insurance costs with the program.

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By Samantha Abernethy in News on September 16, 2011 10:40 AM

Comments [rss]

zenme

Yeah, when the PAIN of an assault visits your delusional world? You should pray an old fatasse is your responding officer. OR, maybe they send any of the 16 flavors of diversity to SLOWLY respond to your most urgent need? Your best bet, old white guy, but please do feel free to request different. Amuse the 911 operator, really they like it.

TheUltimateCurmudgeon

I think it's great. I wish the police didn't think they're so special and don't need something like this. Do you see the lack of fitness on some of the cops here? Not saying it's everyone, but I can't believe there wasn't already a fitness/wellness requirement for police offers.

slickpoetry

I applaud this measure.

twocee

Wonder what happens to your insurance rate if you already are not obese, don't have high blood pressure, don't have diabetes, and don't smoke. Does it go down $50/month?

Or do we not have any healthy people who work for the city?

oonagh1

Probably, if you chose not to participate in the wellness program, your insurance rates will rise, regardless of your health condition. This is probably the best mandate so the city isn't directly targeting the obese, smokers, etc. My employer has the same requirement. Participate in the wellness program or see an increase in your insurance rates. Essentially, all we needed to do to participate was complete a health survey (it's supposedly confidential) asking you about life habits, i.e., how much do you drink, smoke; what are your eating habits, etc. Then, we spoke to a wellness coordinator who reviewed our answers from the survey. I was told that I need to get more exercise and was reminded of some discount program to second-rate gyms my insurance offers. That was all I needed to participate and receive the lower rates. I'm not sure where the cost savings are in that but that was my employer's wellness program. I assume that if I were obese or smoked, I may have been referred to a weight management program or smoking cessation program or something along that ilk. I'm not sure what the follow-up requirements are, success rate is, or if the employee or employer is responsible for paying if one is referred to such a program.

Lisa White

That's it? I mean if they actually offered programs and follow up I could see it being helpful, but if its something like this (take a survey, someone talks to you about bad habits and how to improve that), well that's pointless. I don't need some person telling me I need to workout more. I kinda already know that. Gotta have some sort of plan of action or follow up.

oonagh1

That's what my employer's programs offers. Perhaps, the City's program will be more comprehensive. Of course, my BMI is within normal range, I'm healthy and don't smoke. My employer's program may offer more but I just don't qualify. I really don't know.