Debra Said:

Why is there a pre-employment health checkup?

We Answered:

Insurance reasons they want to make sure that you don't have any pre-existing conditions that they may have to pay for in the end.

Byron Said:

Pre Employment Health Check Today - Help?

We Answered:

I would imagine they would test for drugs yes, especially as its for new employment. It might only be for harder drugs though, you should really ask your GP

Ashley Said:

Is it standard for the NHS to request you to go for a health interview prior to employment?

We Answered:

its perfectly normal for your nhs employers to request that you have an appointment with occupational health, just think about it, if you are working within the nhs you are most likely going to come into contact with patients at some time or another, if you were sick or had an infectious disease and you did not tell your new employer then that may have consequences for your work colleagues or nhs patients

Toni Said:

Employment Health Insurance Legality:?

We Answered:

My question to you is, why do you care? This person has medical insurance and pays for it, he/she isn't getting it for free. Now if that was the case, that would and should be a problem. But the family member that owns the company is paying, most likey a lot, for their spouse's insurance. Are you worried about fraud against an insurance company? They are hardly angels and I will never feel sorry for them. For those of you who argue that this is fraud and he/she shouldn't be able to be on the plan, what is the alternative? Ah yes, put him on medicaid so that the rest of us have to pay for him. They way I see it, he and his wife are paying for it so I see nothing wrong with that. It's time we the people banded together against insurance companies instead of each other when it is so difficult to get a policy.

Veronica Said:

Why is health insurance tied to employment?

We Answered:

The problem is not with the availability of health insurance outside of an employer sponsored group, the problem, as you identified, is the cost is largely unaffordable outside of a group plan. Health insurance is different from auto insurance, home insurance, etc. in that most all policy holders will present claims on a regular basis. Health insurance was originally designed to address catastrophic, unexpected medical costs. It has evolved, however, to be simply a means to finance the costs of all health services, including the most routine.

Of course the cost of health insurance will be astronomical for anyone with a pre-existing condition. You are virtually guaranteed to have health care claims. And, outside of a group where the exposure can be spread among many policyholders, the insurance company will have to collect enough premium to pay those claims. Suppose you were asked to write fire insurance on a $200,000 home and were told the attached garage was currently on fire? How much premium would you charge?

I think employer provided health insurance has proven to be a good way to pool the risk and reduce the cost for those in the group. The down side, however, is that the 3rd party payer system has served to increase costs overall - because if you're not paying it, who cares about how much is being charged for it? Any reasonable health care reform needs to address those things that artifically drive up costs and, also, to come up with a way to provide everyone with coverage for the unexpected, catastrophic costs that may come up.