By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Higher Premiums for Unhealthy Lifestyles – Fair?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Higher Premiums for Unhealthy Lifestyles – Fair?
Policy & Law

Higher Premiums for Unhealthy Lifestyles – Fair?

Liz Seegert
Liz Seegert
Share
3 Min Read
No smoking sign
SHARE

Should people with bad health habits pay more for insurance?

A new report by ehealth.com, the nation’s largest private online health insurance exchange, says that many already do. Their just-relaxed Smoking Status and Body Mass Index Relative to Individual Health Insurance Premiums” found that obese people are charged average of 22 percent more in health premiums, and smokers pay 14 percent more.

Should people with bad health habits pay more for insurance?

A new report by ehealth.com, the nation’s largest private online health insurance exchange, says that many already do. Their just-relaxed Smoking Status and Body Mass Index Relative to Individual Health Insurance Premiums” found that obese people are charged average of 22 percent more in health premiums, and smokers pay 14 percent more.

More Read

Obesity by Country
A New Way to Treat Panic Attacks
ACOs and Patient Safety: Dos and Don’ts: Video
Video Book Review: “Unaccountable” – A Must Watch & Must Read
Advancing Comprehensive Obesity Solutions Critical in the Fight Against Chronic Disease

It’s not surprising, given that the obesity epidemic and smoking-related illnesses cost the health system more. Obesity impacts many chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease; smokers are more likely to develop cancer and die prematurely.

No smoking signFemale smokers are hit harder, with an average 22 percent difference compared with female non-smokers. These stats also show that normal weight and overweight women pay higher premiums than their male counterparts, although obese men pay about seven percent more in premiums than do obese women. Yes, unfortunately gender bias is allowed under current regulations.

In a press statement, eHealth CEO Gary Lauer said “for the second year in a row now, we’ve been able to put a dollar figure on what smoking and an unhealthy BMI may cost Americans in terms of higher health insurance premiums in the individual market. A sample of 224,000 ehealthinsurance major medical policy holders were used to derive the obesity figures; 275,000 ehealthinsurance medical policies were used for the smoker’s statistics.

As Lauer noted, individuals purchasing their own insurance are hardest hit  by these cost differences. That will change next year, when new Affordable Care Act provisions kick in – prohibiting higher gender-based premiums. And those with pre-existing conditions who are without insurance for the previous six months can buy into a special plan that doesn’t charge more because of health status.

Smokers, however will still pay a higher price – in some cases, nearly double that of non-smokers. Some analysts say higher premiums might make insurance unaffordable, particularly for older smokers. However, “smoker’s penalty” may be avoidable – if smokers join cessation programs.

Is it fair to only penalize smokers?

What about others that lead lifestyles which negatively impact health? Should this one group be singled out? Some might argue discrimination based on lifestyle choice. Others say smoking is a choice that affects those around them, while other bad habits only impact the person doing them.

What do you think?

 

TAGGED:health insurance costs
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

uv protection in winter
Winter Sun Safety: Why UV Protection Matters Year-Round
Health
October 29, 2025
Nurse Scheduling Software
Evaluating 7 Best Nurse Scheduling Software
Nursing Technology
October 28, 2025
contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025

You Might also Like

Nurse Care Lines: Wait a minute, I Thought You Were the Expert?

September 2, 2011

Twitter Moves Markets: Can It Impact Disease?

May 1, 2013

NFL Commissioner Agrees To ’60 Minutes’ Interview About Concussions

November 16, 2015

Avastin for Colon Cancer: A Conflicted View

January 19, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?