In: Economics
Is it fair that people who are careful about their BMI status and do not fall into categories of overweight or obese be required to pay increased premiums for their insurance to cover those employees who don't watch their weight, eat to excess, and don't exercise? (Health insurance operates through shared risk principles--younger, healthier people pay for those who are usually older and sicker). List three reasons why it would be fair--and three reasons why it wouldn't be fair.
It is fair.
Reasons are as below:
No.1) since there is no such mechanism for identifying persons who will definitely claim insurance coverage (health insurance), there is nothing wrong of sharing principle for charging insurance premium – those who have lesser risks of health damage may cover by paying higher premium.
No.2) it reduces the burden on older and sicker, since they may not have to pay high premium amount.
No.3) it promotes and encourages people to have health insurance. If there are specifications in terms of risk-wise premium payments, nobody would be interested of having health insurance.
It is not fair.
Reasons are as below:
No.1) this is unfair for those who are careful about their health but still paying higher premium amounts.
No.2) this may discourage of taking health insurance by healthy people.
No.3) it actually encourages those people who are leading unhealthy life (excess eating, smoking, etc.), since someone else is covering for them, which is completely unfair.