Health risks and health insurance claims costs. Results for health hazard appraisal responders and nonresponders.

Abstract

The health risks, health perceptions, and health claim costs of health hazard appraisal (HHA) responders and nonresponders were compared in a sample of employees of the Adolph Coors brewery. HHA responders had lower levels of risks than nonresponders. Responders also rated themselves in better health than nonresponders. Despite the health advantage, HHA responders were more likely to file health claims in 1989 than nonresponders and also had significantly greater claims costs. Comparing the top 10% most expensive employees in each group, however, nonresponders had greater claims costs than responders. Distribution patterns also differed based on perceived health status. HHA responders who perceived themselves in poor/fair health status tended to cost less than nonresponders of similar health. Responders perceiving themselves in good/excellent health status cost more than nonresponders. The findings support the "worried well" syndrome in healthy HHA responders.