for not filling out a survey.

Wow! That's a pretty steep price to pay.

Aaaahhh, I see now. Knox County is self-insured.

This year employees (and spouses, if applicable) are required to fill out a HumanaVitality survey, for a discount in insurance premiums. In the case of this employee, it is $3,360 for the year. Next year it may be participation in "coaching and other “health improvement” resources, Jones [Dir. Human Resources of Knox County] said, but policyholders weren’t required to use them this year."

According to Knox County Law Director Bud Armstrong, "Perhaps as many as 10 percent of around 2,400 county employees, or 3,300 people including spouses on insurance policies are facing the same penalty."

continued...

According to the article, Jones [Dir. Human Resources of Knox County] said the county included information about the survey and the requirements in the Knox County benefits guide. I did a search for "survey" in the benefits guide, no hits. In reading through the benefits guide, nothing showed up about this requirement until page 5 and there was a bold box outlined in red with rates with and without the HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT. On page 7 there is further mention about the assessment, "New for 2016, employees and spouses are required go online to (link...) to complete their Health Assessment Questionnaire." However, it did not include the part about insurance rate increases if you do not complete the assessment.

The benefits guide could be a little confusing. Page 7 mentioned "biometric screenings for the "Knowledge You Need" form in addition to the Health Assessment Questionnaire." Page 11 mentions an HRA form and a Knowledge You Need Health Assessment form and, appears, to include the form in the benefits guide. There is no further mention of going online to complete a "Health Risk Assessment".