Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers will be able to charge smokers up to 50% more than non-smokers for health insurance. Fair or not, a Politico article points out how difficult that policy might be to enforce - and not simply because smokers could lie. For instance:
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently (end of June, 2012) issued revised guidelines for treating obesity. They recommend that doctors (1) screen all patients for obesity (defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher) and (2) refer obese patients for comprehensive behavioral “interventions” to help them lose the weight.That means some insurers could be asked to cover multiple group or individual behavioral counseling or weight management sessions for overweight patients. But could it mean your insurance rates go up?