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Originally Posted by lookout123

Bri - LDS = vegetarian? that is a new one for me.

everyone else - group insurance plans don't allow for different rates for different people. either you have insurance and pay the same as everyone else or you don't have insurance.

No longer true. Demographic, as opposed to community-based, rating systems swept the group insurance industry in 2003 and 2004. Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia was among the last few health insurers to make the switch, which it did only because of the competitive pressure.

Rather than one group rate, premiums would now be calculated based on age and other factors. It makes sense for very, very small companies with only a handful of employees (it's intended for small- to mid-sized businesses), but as you near the cutoff (maybe 100 workers? more? i forget) it is more expensive than a community-based rate, and elder employees would see higher premiums. The concern of employee rights groups is that demographic rating would entice companies to higher younger workers since they would cost less to insure.

Yet another insurance-driven workplace policy.