Originally Posted by
Daniel O'Neill
My health insurance has begun to offer incentives. Join our gym program and we'll give you points for stuff. Eventually they will track those who go to the gym and those who don't. People who don't meet their thresholds for health/activity will pay more. Folks who smoke already pay more because we know that collectively it's a dangerous hobby/habit. Life is dangerous and the insurance will pay out for accidents etc. They will however make you, as an individual, pay more if you knowingly engage in things that they deem risky behaviors. I don't like it but it will happen and probably sooner than we think.
I have a gym in my house, as do many people. During covid, companies like Peleton made out like mad, and a lot of people migrated to home workouts or outdoor activities. A lot of people have not return to gyms and levels today are still about 30% below pre-covid levels. So, I don't know how tracking a gym membership and gym usage can be a benchmark to rate insurance premiums.
Distraction could lead to dismemberment!