I don't get it

So, we've been wending our way toward providing health coverage for our full-time employees, including medical, dental and access to a vision plan.

And here's something I don't get:

Why is it any of Blue Cross' business which employees aren't opting for their coverage and why? Or Delta Dental's business either, for that matter?

For Blue Cross each employee who isn't taking coverage via BC has to fill out part of their application form anyway. Stating that they're declining and why. And while I understand English, so I ostensibly understand the explanation I'm getting from our benefits administrator, I don't understand it.

They don't want people avoiding health insurance when they're healthy (and thus avoiding paying into the coffers) and only signing up when something goes wrong. But isn't that why they ask you all those intrusive questions about your health on individual applications? To determine pre-existing conditions and get out of covering them?

So, this other requirement (which just complicates getting everything in to complete your application for the people who do want coverage) is, I guess, a requirement they feel they need because people must not be honest enough to fill our applications truthfully.

I just personally found it an invasion of privacy to give my personal information to a company whose services I did not choose.

Am I being too touchy? What do you think?

Comments

[Denise]

I wasn't aware that Delta Dental had this issue probably because I've always used Delta Dental when it was offered. Heh. But BCBS - interesting isn't it. I think it's a big business showing you who is boss sort of thing, they want as much info on everyone as they can get because the know eventually everyone is going to end up with BCBS eventually. It seems unavoidable. ;-)

[Elisa Camahort]

Resistance is futile, eh?

[Kris]

So, I'm in HR also...a clarifying question for you. Is Blue Cross the only option you have or are there other providers that are offered and you still have to fill out the Blue Cross even if you choose, say Aetna?

The reason I ask is that it is not uncommon for you to have to sign something saying you are declining coverage. Companies get sued all the time because people claim they were never offered the coverage. If there is only option and you are declining it, it is a CYA thing on someone's part. Doesn't make it any less intrusive, just more understandable (to me, anyway...in HR you have to jump through a lot of hoops just to CYA against law suits from sue happy employees).

[Elisa Camahort]

Sorry your comment got buried amongst the many spam comments this blog gets every day, Kris!

To answer your question, we're offering Kaiser and Blue Cross, and they made the folks who signed up for Kaiser (in addition to the folks who chose to stay on a spouse's coverage) fill out the form.