Noteboom The Law Firm

Penalizing Workers with Unhealthy Behaviors

In order to save healthcare costs some businesses are penalizing workers who have unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking. The recently passed healthcare bill favors this trend and businesses are jumping on the bandwagon in an effort to decrease the rising costs of medical care, long-term disability benefits and time off from work.

Businesses may penalize workers by either increasing their insurance premiums, deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses. The most targeted unhealthy behavior will be smoking which can cost a company more than $10,000 every year for each person who smokes.

In the past, some companies have tried providing incentives to workers who quit smoking or lost weight, but this method hasn't been proven to be effective. Some companies are using penalization as an alternative means to get their employees to make the changes and ideally, avoid the need for short-term and long-term disability benefits.

This puts the ball in the employee's court, as each employee must make the decision as to how they will manage their own health. By shifting the responsibility to employees, companies hope to promote health and cut costs.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a severe condition that leaves you unable to work, you may be eligible for long-term disability. Contact a long-term disability attorney who can help you through the process of filing your claim and receiving benefits that you may be entitled to.

If you or someone you love has been denied long-term disability benefits, contact the Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg. Our long-term disability attorneys have experience with cross-examining medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your case. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.