There are two sides to that. How would you like an option to buy dental insurance that is dramatically cheaper, but which you can only get if you allow your brushing habits to be monitored and corrected? I think there's value in allowing people who choose to manage their risks well to be able to benefit from the reduced costs. For such a policy it would be important that you find out that your brushing is substandard before you go to the dentist, though, not after. It shouldn't be a surprise.
I get it! Like auto insurance that gives you a discount because you never drive your car, or never having sex to get an no prenatal services policy.
Just sounds like the creep toward only insuring people for things they'll never need insurance for. Should be really profitable.
We do need to draw a line that prevents preferential treatment based on characteristics which are not within the control of the individual, including past behaviors, but I see no problem and lots of advantages in enabling the use of pricing to encourage behavior that reduces costs.
Here's the litmus test. Would you support wearing a shock collar where you are monitored for everything, and if say, you go over 1500 calories a day,, travel in a "dangerous area", drive over the speed limit, anything the insurance company determines is detrimental to your health - you get zapped. You'll get a 75 percent reduction for participating in the Platinum healthcare system. You, working together with the healthcare system to live a happier and healthier life.
You see, if you submit to this constant monitoring, there has to be an efficient feedback mechanism, otherwise it gets messy. I figure simple shocks should suffice at first. Let's you know you are transgressing, whne you live a shock free existence you are living properly, and saving money.
We can really ensure the safety and health of Americans with some very impressive technology that is just around the corner. Exciting research in the field of allowing paralyzed people to walk again might be able to allow the insurance companies or Government to stop you if you are going to do something that might cost them- and you - money. If we can control their muscles - a pricelessly wonderful thing - there are other possibilities, like stopping you from harming yourself by controlling your muscles. Might even be able to save some money there too.
Imagine this - your refrigerator detects that you are eating too much. too much food has left the fridge, and blood glucose and mass monitors show that you are the culprit. The insurance company is alerted to this weightcrime, and sends signals that activate your movement adjustment device, and cause you to shut the door, walk away, and get back to watching "Here comes Honey Boo-Boo" reruns, or if you haven't done your exercises, makes you hop on that exercise bike.
You know, that sounds paranoid batshit crazy, but is actually quite technologically feasible. We just have to make sure that we can talk people into the monitoring/feedback mechanisms. You might be a candidate for spokesman.