What's with the HRAs (employees, profit, employer, companies)

[LeaveWI]

Today I got a letter from corporate that starting in Jan 09, all employees must take a Health Risk Assesment, or else pay a higher monthly contribution. They claim that these will NOT be shared with the company (ya right) and that these are only for our health insurance carrier to help them improve the quality of care, and make sure those with chronic problems get correct the "care they deserve" That they allow our carrier to get a better idea of how to improve care quality.
Has anyone else gotten these? I've heard of a few othe rcompanies that now make them mandatory.
I'm a little skeptical about their "pure" motives. Even tho they claim the company won;t see the results, SOMEBODY'S going to, but I wonder who, and why do they just HAVE to have these tests done.
My guess is it's just a way for the carrier to figure out how high they can raise the rates, OR look at the employees that maybe have not such a good assesment, and they will be the first to go, in order to keep profits high, as these folks might cause their premiums to go up.
Are these valid concerns, or am I just being cynical and paranoid.

Thanks for your input

[jamesandveybe]

Insurance companies will continue to be more intrusive in your life, to the point of requiring blood and urine checks at their demand. Don't comply and you're off the plan.

[mkfarnam]

How's the company not going to know? If the one's at higher risks will be the first to go, then the company does know about it. The company is probably the one's setting it up.
It's sounds like a process of elimunation to me.

[bande1102]

In Sept of 2007, I got a letter from my employer stating that I could have December premiums free if I filled out the HRA. I was instructed to go to the health insurance carriers website and enter information. My employer wouldn't answer any questions about it: who had info to the information, how the information was being used, etc.

I didn't participate and paid the premiums for December. I also didn't participate in the "counseling" session that was offered for free to all employees in which we were supposed to speak with a nurse about managing our health.

[twixcookie]

Originally Posted by bande1102

In Sept of 2007, I got a letter from my employer stating that I could have December premiums free if I filled out the HRA. I was instructed to go to the health insurance carriers website and enter information. My employer wouldn't answer any questions about it: who had info to the information, how the information was being used, etc.

I didn't participate and paid the premiums for December. I also didn't participate in the "counseling" session that was offered for free to all employees in which we were supposed to speak with a nurse about managing our health.

Wow, they aren't shy about going after your personal information. I bet they tell you how much they care about your health and this is for your own well being.
If enough employees get together and refuse to do this, they can't fire 3/4 of the company, but I think too many people are sheep and won't stand up for themselves. That is part of the problem.