Finally completed the annual exercise of benefits enrollment and elections. This time around, if you didn't check the box that said you didn't use tobacco products in the last 12-months, you'd get 'penalized' $52.

Is it possible in the near future that employers and their insurance carriers will start asking if:
Do you own any firearms in your household?
Do you consume red meat on a regular basis: please submit your cholesterol and blood pressure readings, along with your BMI?
Do you own a hybrid or, electric vehicle?

Ours had the tobacco question last year and it's $220 higher for them. We also have a number of 'wellness programs' where you earn points and if you don't get enough, your yearly cost doubles.

Talking to our HR guy, he said we're not big enough to get really good rates and the current direction isn't sustainable. Either we find ways to cut costs through stuff like direct care / membership clinics that don't take insurance, or the company just gives every employee a monthly amount and tells them to shop for whatever health plan they can get privately.

We get a discount for electing tobacco free. The Wellness Assessment (at least the diet part) is total BS. I enjoy the report back when I've told them all I eat is meat, eggs, some dairy, very little fruit and non-starchy veg. My bloodwork is straight As except for the part where it says I refuse to follow directions.