DEL.ICIO.USUpdated: 10:48 p.m. February 16, 2009
Kennesaw OKs surcharge for unhealthy employees
Workers can avoid extra fee by joining wellness program
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, February 16, 2009
In three months, Kennesaw employees who smoke or have high-risk health problems will pay higher insurance premiums if they don’t take part in a city-sponsored wellness program.
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Some Kennesaw residents think the plan approved by the City Council on Monday night is discriminatory but beneficial. “It’s a freedom of choice kind of thing,” said Dent Myers, who owns Wildman’s Civil War Surplus.
Of Kennesaw’s 233 employees, 125 attend wellness programs, which began a year ago. Mandatory health screenings began in the fall.
High-risk employees can join stop-smoking and weight-loss programs or meet weekly with a coach to address other risk factors.
If they do not, smokers will pay a surcharge of $25 per pay period and high risk non-compliant employees will pay a surcharge of $50 per every two-week pay period.
At 350 pounds, Kennesaw Police Department Lt. Craig Graydon favors the measure. He has been in the weight-loss program for one month.
“This has been a battle for me since childhood,” he said. “The city is doing what it can to support me.”
Sherea Robinson of the Georgia Municipal Association says the group has 35 cities taking part in its wellness program. Kennesaw’s program is not a part of GMA’s efforts.
The state of Georgia insurance charges are $40 a month more for employees who smoke and are not in a smoking cessation program.
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