An alleged new low: Scamming the employee wellness program
Barb ShellySeven government workers in Kansas City face federal charges for fraudulently claimed money for incentives in their employee wellness program.
If these charges hold up, I’m going to be pretty angry with these people. Perks in the workplace are few and far between these days, and not to be exploited. Plus, wellness incentive programs are a great idea, and a scheme such as the one authorities are describing could discourage employers and insurers from offering them.
Six Kansas City employees and one Jackson County worker are accused of claiming that they and their family members participated in multiple athletic events, like triathlons, to receive cash incentives through their employee wellness plan.
Investigators say they roped hundreds of co-workers into the scheme, getting access to their accounts and logging in multiple athletic activities. The incentive program, offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, gave people gift or pre-loaded debit cards up to $250 for staying healthy and exercising. The defendants allegedly logged in activities for their co-workers until they maxed out on points. The defendants would then keep $50 of the reward and the co-worker would get the rest.
Seriously, you wonder how these folks allegedly got away with this for as long as they did. They are charged with claiming more than $300,000 in fraudulent reward points. In some cases, investigators say, the defendants falsely said that family members of employees — including children as young as 3 years old — had participated in marathons and other athletic events.
I am a fan of any program that encourages people to eat well and exercise. There’s no question that the best health care plan, for individuals and society, is one in which people eat healthy food in moderate amounts and get a reasonable amount of physical activity.
Extra credit for things like marathons might not be a cost saver. In my experience, people who do a lot of those events spend a good deal of time and money on orthopedic doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors. On the other hand, those who are seriously training are living a healthy lifestyle. The eight defendants — described in The Star’s account as “a sturdy looking bunch despite their alleged devotion to strenuous exercise,” apparently were not.
Steven Fetter
66223
5 months agoHey, it is only a Big, Bad, Greedy, insurance company thats harmed. Its not’s like it your’s or my money.
And thank God these workers will have union representation with a very good chance of keeping these vital jobs. Just think, if it was you or I, we would be summarily fired .
Phil Cardarella
5 months agoOK, it is wrong to steal.
On the other hand, marathons? Triathalons? Seriously? In what world do a bunch of government employees — other than a couple of sheriff deputies — train at that level? At some point you have to conclude that the benefit — like so many scams — was designed to fail. Folks just doing a healthy amount of moderate exercise do not seem to be in a position to benefit.
If only fitness nuts could qualify, then it was really just a PR scam by the insurance company — and the scammers got scammed.
Steven Fetter
66223
5 months agoWhen will the insurance companies figure out their business is not risk assessment, predicting outcomes and satisfying the capital providers (stock holders).
It is about equal premiums for unequal risks. It is about unlimited spending while limiting your revenue, thereby currying favor with the political elite.
In short, follow the example of the government and then demand demand a bailout.
Suzanne Conaway
5 months agoSteve, I know of at leat one employee who won’t be protected by union representation (you seem to have a grudge against unions). Matt Stiver, who worked in IT does not have union representation. I know. I was in KCMO IT.