HIPPA violation?

[RadiclDreamer]

I work for a hospital in IT and can safely say that no, this is not a violation. My place of employment also does the whole "if you smoke you pay more for insurance". And while they have yet to test anyone to my knowledge, they claim they can drop coverage for you if they determine you are smoking and arent paying the extra $50 per pay.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Should be firing the potheads, not charging them.

Thats a little harsh dont you think? What about the drinkers? Most studies I've seen seem to show that alcohol does just as much if not more damage than pot.

 

[OutHouse]

Smokers cost the company and insurance company more, and they should pay higher rates.

Smokers cost the company and insurance company more, and they should pay higher rates.

Smokers are much more apt to have acute lung issues, such as upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, flu, etc... Aside from the potential lung cancer and COPD they may experience later in life.

I am not a smoker and this is just my own personal observation from the companies i have worked for. the people i see who cost the company and insurance more money are not the smokers. The smokers i know and work with are no more sick than i am and the people i see who are costing the insurance and company more money are the spouses who have chronic depression, or the kids who are hopped up on ADD drugs, or the spouses who have multiple surgeries over a 2 year period. or the VP who has a heart attack and a quad by-pass.

again this is just my own unscientific observations and personal opinion.