December 6 - The Prevention Plan

'Tis the season for open enrollment, for examining your benefits and making adjustments to 401K contributions and insurance premiums. Technically that was last month for me, but I'm just now getting around to writing about it.

I'm thankful for an employer that provides many great benefits, and has a whole team dedicated to finding good deals for the members. Really, in today's world, I'm lucky to have health insurance that doesn't cost me my firstborn child.


So I'm grateful. But also leery. In addition to a significant increase in premium costs this year, our plan is requiring a Health Screening self-assessment and mandatory blood tests. As a health care provider and proponent for preventive maintenance, I totally get this. What a great way to help people understand their risks and coach life changes that will save valuable time and money and improve quality of life. Right?
However, as an independent-minded individual who hates being micro-managed, this grates on me. I'm responsible about my regular check-ups, and I'm pretty sure the whole process will just make me feel guilty for eating stuff I shouldn't and not exercising enough. Duh.


Then there's the subtle sense of impending doom, like someone is going to make us all exercise 30 minutes a day or they won't pay for Pap smears and flu shots anymore. Oh I know, they promise that's not the intent, but as health costs rise and people keep getting sick, all manner of cost management measures start. When we move from rewards for healthy choices to mandatory blood tests, I feel the stage being set for all kinds of elitist or exclusionary policies. Regardless of what the current administration is promising.

God forbid if you're genetically pre-disposed to cancer!