Once again, apparently it's ok to discriminate against the obese. I will personally never use CVS again and will be writing them a letter to let them know exactly why. (including a listing of the MANY drugs I get filled there monthly and have for a decade and a breakdown of thousands of dollars they'll be losing from my business)

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FORT WORTH (CBS 11 NEWS) - CVS is telling its employees they must get health screenings for preventative care or pay more for the company’s health coverage.

Its a controversial plan with an easily understood motive.

“They are trying to identify these patients that have glucose abnormalities or lipid hypertension abnormalities and working with them to make them healthier,” said family practitioner Dr. Greg Fuller of Keller.

To do that, CVS is telling its 200,000 employees if they want to use the company health plan they must submit their weight, body fat, glucose levels and other vitals.

The goal, the company says, is to identify health problems early to save the company money in the long-run.

Many consumers who’ve seen the info insurance companies are looking for don’t like the idea.

“I can understand maybe disclosing some things but there’s a lot of things they do want to know I feel like is a violation of our privacy,” said consumer Michelle Garcia who said her coworkers discuss the issue quite a bit.

CVS claimed, like other employers, it will never see the employees information.

“Most are taken to third party wellness program who takes that data and works with the patient and its not given to their employer,” Dr. Fuller said.

But, other large companies offer incentives like discounts for the screening information.

CVS says if its employees don’t get screened, they’ll have to pay $50 a month more for health coverage — $600 a year.

“I would be upset with that because you’re kind of forced to give them personal information about yourself and about your lifestyle and about how you choose to live your life,” Garcia said.

original article: http://dfw.cbslocal....alth-insurance/

I can't speak for the rest of you but I certainly do not have a disease. I am fat because I take in more calories than I burn and I did it for many years. That is not a disease, but a choice I made. I have now chosen to do things differently and I have lost weight. Getting a lap band did not cure my "disease" but it did fix my mindset. To hide behind labels is to not take responsibility for our behavior. I don't know about other countries but it is prevalent in America to never take responsibility for our behavior. Everybody is a victim and wants something or someone to blame things on. That is the cowards way out and I won't take it myself. I made myself fat, no excuses. Your mileage may vary......

Smh

Disease is a term that means more than infection. There are behavioral diseases (in addition to obesity) like depression, eating disorders, all sorts of things. Yes, I became obese because of taking in more calories than I burned. I was and am responsible for my own choices, but more and more research points out that obesity IS a chronic disease with many factors involved, including endocrine and neurological responses.

I'm not copping out. What I am saying is this: I have a brother who has a completely "normal" BMI. He also has celiac disease, chronic depression, and narcolepsy. His health care costs far exceed mine, yet because I am obese and "should" cost the system more, insurance companies say I should have to pay more for my insurance. I don't think that's fair. I think it's discriminatory. But yes, YMMV.

Ok then, despite losing almost 200 pounds I still have a BMI in the 30's thus obese. Yet my blood pressure, blood work, resting heart rate, and overall is health is great. My kids' dad has a normal BMI and is thin- but he has very high blood pressure and high cholesterol. His blood sugar has been on the high side too.

I'm fat but in great health while my kids' skinny dad is very unhealthy. So how is it fair to label me as a high insurance cost risk when it's the skinny dude who needs the meds and treatment?

This is particularly stupid given that there is no evidence that these kinds of screenings/ "annual physicals" do anything to improve people's health or reduce costs in the long run. It seems like it should, but it doesn't.

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1556801

The USPSTF doesn't recommend most of those screening tests for the majority of people.

My hub works for a Fortune 500 company and the insurance incentive works just like Catfish.

After volunteering for the health assessment, the insurance co. offers ways to improve your health.

They also added WLS, b/c they realized they could save money in the long run. I thank them for that.lol btw, they just saved on no longer having to pay for my b/p medicine.

So I do agree with sojo, is all about money.

We are required to either get our Rx's by mail or go to CVS.

I hate CVS, not b/c of their policy, but b/c the one by my house is employed by morons.lol Going to have to drive a little farther, to the next CVS.

I hate CVS, not b/c of their policy, but b/c the one by my house is employed by morons.

I think those same people work part time at Super D where I go.

While I get your point Missy, it's not legally discrimination if its applied to every employee evenly. There is a benefit in encouraging employees to get an annual health assessment and rewarding those who do. I take issue, however, with the payroll deduction for noncompliance. It would be much more of an incentive if it was a reduction in premiums.

My son-in-law works for Boeing and they've had to fill out a health assessment for the last 5 years for every family member. They get a $100+ discount on their health insurance every month for their family of 6 if they complete the assessment.

I agree that obesity discrimination is prevalent, we face it every day. I just don't see this as such.

I'm not fond of CVS either.

"Disease is a term that means more than infection. There are behavioral diseases (in addition to obesity) like depression, eating disorders, all sorts of things."

Clarification: Mental illnesses such as all mood disorders are not classified as "diseases", as per the DSM IV-TR. They are commonly classified as "disorders", and do not have the same progressions and symptom etiology as a medical model of disease would require.

This is really about big business and dictation of policy. Every one has choices.

Those in this thread who are sharing their anger about "fat" discrimination obviously have an "ax to grind" with this issue.

Just be thankful that you are engaged in a positive process of change to become healthier and modify your lifestyle.

There are many people who are "damaged" by the slights they encounter in life...if you have experienced "fat" discrimination, don't allow that negative experience define you as an individual. Holding on to your anger only takes away from your energy which is better used when channeled in a positive direction.

It's a choice you make for yourself...