According to results from Gallup’s July 7-10 2014 Consumption Habits survey, fewer Americans support instituting higher health insurance rates based on an individual’s lifestyle habits than they did in 2003. While the majority still support this type of rate structure, the percentage has decreased. However, when it comes to hiring discrimination, the majority of Americans do not support allowing companies to make employment decisions based on an individual’s smoking habits or weight.
The Affordable Care Act allows for higher premiums for smokers, and the Gallup report does recognize that higher insurance costs are associated with smoking and being overweight. Businesses concerned with minimizing their group health coverage costs can offer wellness programs that encourage healthy lifestyles. For more information on instituting a wellness program in your organization, send us an email or give us a call at 317.663.4138.
LifeHealthPro.com recently published an infograph based on results of Gallup’s survey:
