ANNAPOLIS — State employees will now be required to participate in a wellness program as part of their health insurance or pay a $50 annual penalty.
The Daily Record of Baltimore reports that the wellness-program requirement begins Jan. 1 for Maryland state employees, retirees, and covered spouses, affecting more than 250,000 people.
The wellness-program requirements will be relatively easy to fulfill in 2015, but the requirements become more stringent in future years, as will the penalties.
By 2017, the penalties could increase to as much as $450 for participants who fail to undergo required screenings and fail to adhere to treatment plans for chronic conditions.
Anne Timmons, director of state employee benefits, said the wellness program is projected to slash the state's costs by $4 billion over the next decade.
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10 comments:
It's all about control.....
I wonder if they require a flu shot.
Ya know., we're always reading about these efficient cost cutting programs that are implemented to 'save tax payer's money'. And, they always rely on projected savings. Who's projections? What basis did you use to derive these figures? However, none of these numbers, with very few exceptions, are ever realize nor publicized. Have you ever noticed that? Why is that? How can people believe something that isn't verified? Nor verifiable for that matter. (executive privilege, lost, deleted in error..,) There is absolutely no reason on earth for this "wellness check" other then greasy serpentine freedom controlling avarice worshiping corporate Amerika wants it.
It's just one more aspect of freedom we need to mend when we take America back.
12:04 They don't work, they just sit on their butts and get fat on your dime. I applaud it, and wish the fine was more so they get the point.
This is really about the state asserting themselves over your medical rights. You'll eventually be fined for not taking flu shots or other vaccines, or if you choose to take or not take a medicine, etc. It's only going to get worse.
2:41 If by "your", you mean State employees... then you're right. I see it as responsible... especially when WE (Private sector) pays for their health insurance (Note: Better coverage than we can get/afford). They should be held to a higher standard, and be participating in the the MHE only. Nutrition education and exercise can limit their visits by decreasing obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, etc... we win as far as their cost burden on their health insurance claims.
Note that these saving would not be passed back to the taxpayer.
All state and fedral employees should also be blood and urine tested for drugs and alcohol, but that's another debate.
2:41 It will not get worse if you vote Democrats out of office. Perhaps then common sense will prevail.
Don't admit to anything...Like drinking alcohol. If anything ever happens you will be denied care.
@ 12:35 Not all state workers are like that...and what do YOU do for a living?
@2:41 You do not pay for all healthcare of state employees--they still have large premiums. Do you slam every company that pays for part of employees healthcare? How about a company that pays for ALL their insurance? Your money pays for that too, in the cost of the goods and services you buy.
If they are looking to save money, how about stop food stamp recipients from buying a bunch of crap at the store? Or buying booze? Or in some states, pot? Force them to buy healthy foods, fresh veggies, fruit etc. instead of soda and Doritos--that should save more money than forcing a state employee to get a flu shot they are inherently opposed to getting.. This is a very dangerous thing that has started--just a matter on time before this happens to everybody-they become more and more intrusive and control more and more of what you can and can't do.
7:08 excellent rebuttal.
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