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Re:Unvaccinated Covid patients cost the U.S. health system b... by toomuchtodo on Tuesday September 14, 2021 @06:09PM (#28532137)
I assume insurers could choose to not cover the treatment costs for a condition if you decided not to get vaccinated. Exposing someone to the full cost of an avoidable expense is a solid method of disincentivizing reckless behavior during a pandemic (smoking and obesity are not comparable).

If you can prove vaccination status, of course, costs should still be covered for hospitalization, as you made the very little effort to derisk.

Re:Unvaccinated Covid patients cost the U.S. health system b... by nradov on Tuesday September 14, 2021 @06:24PM (#28532310)
Your assumption is wrong. Any medical insurance plan regulated under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is not legally allowed to deny coverage or raise premiums based on vaccination status.

According to the CDC, obesity is a significant risk factor for COVID-19.

https://www.healthcare.gov/how-plans-set-your-premiums/

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7010e4.htm

Re:Unvaccinated Covid patients cost the U.S. health system b... by toomuchtodo on Monday September 20, 2021 @11:46PM (#28601896)
Following up, it appears that insurers can use vaccination status in pricing healthcare costs shouldered by the insured. Several insurers have already begun to do this (Aetna and UnitedHealthcare). Coverage isn’t denied, nor are premiums raised, but it’s done through no longer waiving copayments from COVID treatment costs.

https://khn.org/news/article/analysis-dont-want-a-vaccine-be...

https://khn.org/news/article/time-to-say-goodbye-to-some-ins...

Re:Unvaccinated Covid patients cost the U.S. health system b... by topkai22 on Tuesday September 14, 2021 @06:38PM (#28532473)
It does, however, apparently allow for employers to charge employees more for insurance under a “wellness” scheme. This is how Delta is charging unvaccinated employees $200/month.

Edit- I am also familiar with wellness incentives/charges around smoking, obesity, and exercise.

Re:Unvaccinated Covid patients cost the U.S. health system b... by toomuchtodo on Tuesday September 14, 2021 @06:26PM (#28532333)
Wow, that’s disappointing, but not surprising for American healthcare (don’t cover everyone, but no personal responsibility expectations from those who are covered). We’ll just have to let the fire burn through the forest I suppose and eat the costs from these people until travel and employment vaccination mandates kick in.
Re:Unvaccinated Covid patients cost the U.S. health system b... by felistoria on Tuesday September 14, 2021 @06:32PM (#28532413)
Obesity costs the US healthcare system 147 billion per year. We need Health Passports right now if cost is an issue. 5.7 over 3 months is nothing compared to the cost of obesity.