To: Larry J. Merlo, CEO, CVS Caremark
CVS: Don't Require Employees to Disclose Personal Health Info or Face a $600 Penalty
CVS employees have been informed that they must submit their weight, body fat levels, blood glucose levels and other vital statistics or face a $600 penalty. This sets a dangerous precedent for employer access to private health information, and could become common practice among employers if not stopped now. We're calling on CVS to respect their employees' right to privacy. Don't penalize your workers for wanting to keep their health records private.
Why is this important?
According to news reports, CVS Caremark informed employees this week that they must disclose personal health information or pay a $600 annual penalty. While we understand the need to control the rising cost of healthcare, we feel strongly that this approach by CVS breaches the privacy rights of workers and sets a frightening precedent for other employers to follow suit.
CVS employees are being required to show up to a doctor for an annual WebMD Wellness Review and submit to tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass and body weight. The CVS memo to employees also states, “Going forward, you'll be expected not just to know your numbers - but also to take action to manage them." Is CVS suggesting that it will require employees to diet? Or take up running?
Many employers are focused on encouraging their workers to stay healthy through incentives and wellness programs. But requiring employees to disclose personal health data crosses a line when it comes to privacy rights. Dr. Deborah Peel of Patient Privacy Rights told ABC News, “This [policy] is about as coercive and blunt as I’ve ever seen."
We agree, and that's why we're calling on CVS to respect their employees' right to privacy. Don't penalize workers for wanting to keep their health records private. There are far better ways to help employees get fit & stay healthy.
CVS employees are being required to show up to a doctor for an annual WebMD Wellness Review and submit to tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass and body weight. The CVS memo to employees also states, “Going forward, you'll be expected not just to know your numbers - but also to take action to manage them." Is CVS suggesting that it will require employees to diet? Or take up running?
Many employers are focused on encouraging their workers to stay healthy through incentives and wellness programs. But requiring employees to disclose personal health data crosses a line when it comes to privacy rights. Dr. Deborah Peel of Patient Privacy Rights told ABC News, “This [policy] is about as coercive and blunt as I’ve ever seen."
We agree, and that's why we're calling on CVS to respect their employees' right to privacy. Don't penalize workers for wanting to keep their health records private. There are far better ways to help employees get fit & stay healthy.