#health

…for illness. Lots of coughing in the office. Used to be able to WFH due to illness. What’s the current guidance on this? Will I get pinged if I WFH because I’m coughing a lot, yet still able to work?

Nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital have announced an open-ended strike to begin on November 12th. This action is expected to be the largest nurses' strike in state history, involving approximately 4,000 union nurses. Key issues in the contract dispute include pay raises, limitations on temporary workers, and affordable health insurance. The hospital and the Massachusetts Nurses Association are scheduled to resume negotiations on November 9th. This potential strike occurs amidst broader financial challenges and layoffs within the Mass General Brigham health system.

Boston, Massachusetts

https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/brigham-and-womens-nurses-announce-open-ended-strike

Children's Mercy is eliminating 115 positions within its health system. An additional 473 roles will be transferred to an external company. These changes represent approximately 1.2% of the total workforce. Most affected positions are in nonclinical and administrative areas. The health system cited rising costs and stagnant reimbursement as reasons for these adjustments.

Kansas City, Missouri

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article317890246.html

how are the new health plans? how much ELfu-kO sc--wing us this year? is that "surest" plan just using our medical records to train AI?

Happy open enrollment day! Good news: your deductible has increased from $2,000 to $3,000! Your groceries and gas are still at an all time high, while raises have not kept up with inflation, and now Waters has negotiated insurance that sc--ws up with your finances again! Just couple years ago the deductible was $1,500.

People getting colds viruses etc and deciding to wfh? Wasn’t that the same reason they locked us all down in the first place for three years a cold virus with a 99%+ survivability rate?
Seriously though, do they expect us to slog into work coughing and sneezing and contaminating the whole floor or will they be merciful and allow us to wfh?
I feel like I’d be skulking around if I say I don’t feel well enough to come in would they rather wfh or no productivity from me at all?
We’re getting thick into cold and flu season there’s been ZERO.guidance conveyed from the top down.
They never released the July survey
This is 🐂💩
This has turned into a very hostile work environment going from respect of employees and trusting us to do our work which we did with banner profitability to Ge----o type surveillance on our every move.
Where are all our reps that protect the worker?
Oh right they’re into the grift too with their own non profits benefiting off our indentured service too.
MA is a he-l hole and a 💩hole

What is everyone else seeing? Do they folks who are on the fence will now leave? This is definitely a sign for US employees. Dental and vision no change, but they are small cost. Voluntary life insurance up 70%, using same criteria as 2026.

does anyone know if health insurance is included with a severance package?

Reporting the unauthorized exposure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to a foreign entity involves distinct pathways depending on whether you are the insurance contractor (corporate reporting) or an individual/whistleblower (public reporting).

1. Mandatory Corporate Reporting (If you represent the insurer)
   If the health insurance corporation holds a contract with the Department of Defense (such as a TRICARE managed care contractor or a vendor bound by DFARS 252.204-7012), the organization is legally mandated to report the incident immediately.

• Cyber Incident Reporting via DIBNet: The corporation must report the incident electronically within 72 hours of discovery via the DoD DIBNet Portal.

https://www.dc3.mil/Missions/DIB-Cybersecurity/DIB-Cybersecurity-DCISE/

• This requires a DoD-approved Medium Assurance Certificate.
• Privacy Act / PII Breach Reporting: Simultaneously, the contractor must coordinate with their Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and submit DD Form 2959 (Breach of Personally Identifiable Information Report) to the component’s privacy office. DoD guidelines generally require an initial alert to the federal team within 1 hour of discovery.
• Defense Health Agency (DHA): For healthcare data, the corporate privacy official should immediately contact the Defense Health Agency Privacy and Civil Liberties Office to manage Military Health System data breaches.

1. Whistleblower and Public Reporting (If you are an employee or citizen)
   If you are an individual exposing corporate wrongdoing or an illegal transfer of sensitive DoD data to a foreign nation, you should route the report through oversight and counterintelligence bodies:

• DoD Inspector General (OIG) Hotline: File an unclassified complaint regarding corporate mismanagement, systematic information loss, or regulatory violations via the DoD IG Hotlineor by calling 1-800-424-9098.
• Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA): Because a foreign entity is involved, this escalates the incident beyond a standard data breach into a potential national security concern. If you have security clearance or work within the defense industrial base, report the foreign contact or exploitation target immediately to your Facility Security Officer (FSO) or directly to the DCSA Reporting Channels.

https://www.dcsa.mil/Personnel-Vetting/Background-Investigations-for-Applicants/Report-a-Security-Change-Concern-or-Threat/

1. Parallel Legal Requirements
   Because the entity is a health insurance corporation, standard healthcare laws apply alongside defense regulations:

• HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR): The breach must be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services through the HHS Breach Portal.

https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_frontpage.jsf?faces-redirect=true

• If the breach affects 500 or more individuals, it must be reported within 60 days.

I know everyone is pretty much in the dark but I'm freaking out a bit... I'm an engineer 2 and I've been going through some health stuff and I've been on and off wfh so my swipes are very low for the last 5 months. My managers know and are understanding but idk if the ones doing the layoffs will see it that way.

Just noticed that health benefit got much more expensive and way worse this year, especially the CDHP and select? Is this a way to push people out?

Anyone find it odd that open enrollment starts on November 2nd and we won’t even be able to see what the options are until OcT 26? Also- if your zip code is within ten miles of a “marathon health” clinic and you don’t go there- your copay will be at LEAST $100. The benefits site is up for 2027 but the “build your medical plan tool” won’t be up until 10/26. It’s going to be very bad….

I have multiple people across my teams that if are not renewed or converted will bring us to a screaming halt at Healthspring. They were hired on a contract-to-hire basis and I have only had 1 have it fully converted as promised.

As a manager I am not in the financial meetings but to those that are, does anyone know?

It is well known up has cancer causing locomotives, yet they still run these indoors forcing people to breath the toxic substances.

https://www.facebook.com/100063655746507/posts/1735649768566865/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Anyone has an experience or something to share about this? I have a health issue and will have to slow down. I am 38 yo. Does not need to be EM. Thank you.

Us folks at the health plans would be interested if anyone wants to share the highlights/lowlights.

In the HTC at palm bay. You would think that bats invading the office space is enough to at least work from home for the week while they sort that out but nope, "just don't touch them".

I am thinking that much like the way AI was recently renamed SI, which as an aside I think there is nothing Super about it. It is totally Artificial “intelligence.”

Anyway, just like we renamed that, because there is not much interest in these so called “Health” Insurance corporation’s Executives in actually insuring their member’s health, perhaps we should consider renaming “Health” Insurance to something like
Profit Insurance
Or maybe
C-Suite Executive Insurance
Or maybe
Shareholder Insurance
Or maybe
Corporate Government Fund Free Insurance

And as for Medi”care” “Advantage” maybe we should consider renaming it something like
Medi-Deny Disadvantage
Or maybe
Medi-Delay Disadvantage
Or maybe
Medi-Free-Draw-You-in-Perks-But-No-Real-Substantial-Coverage Disadvantage

If you can think of some better names, please feel free to add them in the comments below.

Maynard Steel Casting Company and Maynard Alloy Casting Company LLC are laying off 77 workers at their Milwaukee facility. This closure is due to unforeseeable business circumstances and the inability to sell company assets. The affected employees will lose their jobs on December 4th, just before the holidays. Their health care benefits will also cease on that date. The company is not providing any alternative employment for those impacted.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/milwaukee-steel-plant-layoffs/

If you want to see truth take a look at https://managedcarewatch.com/

Facts speak loudly and compare other MCO's

Verizon used to be known for good health insurance but now Dan has gone and ruined it seems. Prices going up and benefits being reduced. Crazy

And now you know why the Blue Pulse survey was done before the open enrollment materials were released.

UCare has initiated layoffs impacting approximately 102 employees in Minneapolis. These job reductions are a direct result of losing state Medicaid contracts to Medica. The affected positions span various roles, including care coordinators and customer service staff. Layoffs began on October 2 and are anticipated to continue through November. This situation highlights the significant employment consequences of shifts in Minnesota's health insurance market.

Minneapolis, MN

https://minneapolimedia.town.news/g/co-n-rapids-mn/n/392210/minneapolimedia-news-ucare-layoffs-begin-minneapolis-medicaid-contract

So an outside consulting firm makes restructuring and headcount reduction recommendations based on simple, math-based formulas.

The math looks good on paper, but it’s near-sighted. The intangible costs of cutting talent and tribal knowledge, and combining workloads from 2-3 personnel onto one (‘do more with less’), are immense.

When Customer confidence is lost, they also stop being a reference. The loss multiplies.

OPERATIONAL GLITCH
The Amateur View: "The customer missed the SLA by 40 minutes."

The Professional View: “The customer realized the new team doesn’t understand their architecture. Trust is broken.”

CUSTOMER HEALTH
The Amateur View: “They haven’t cancelled their contract”.

The Professional View: “They refuse to expand their spend and are actively looking for an exit strategy from Dell.”

VALUE PROPOSITION
The Amateur View: “Dell is delivering service at a 30% savings per head”

The Professional View: “We have commoditized our brand. We can no longer demand premium pricing”.

The list of outcomes goes on…

For nearly 30 years, my life was measured in barrels, spreadsheets, and quarterly targets. As an engineer at ExxonMobil, I took immense pride in my work, but the grueling 12-hour workdays and the unspoken culture that "simply doing your job isn't enough" eventually broke me down.
The corporate grind took a massive toll on my body. Decades of sitting in front of monitors and stress-eating desk lunches left me chronically exhausted and sluggish. My cardiovascular endurance was nonexistent; climbing a single flight of stairs to a conference room left me visibly winded. My muscles felt weak and tight from lack of movement, and the numbers on the scale kept creeping up. I realized I was sacrificing my youth and my health for a corporate machine that would replace my job posting before my obituary was even printed.
Six months ago, I finally made the terrifying decision to hand in my resignation. I had no backup corporate savior lined up, just a modest savings account and a desperate need to reclaim my life.
The transformation didn't happen overnight, but once I removed the constant cloud of corporate anxiety, I finally had the mental energy to invest in my physical body.
First, I built back my cardiovascular health. I started with brisk daily walks, which quickly progressed to morning jogs. Today, my resting heart rate has dropped significantly, and I can run a 5K without stopping—a feat that felt completely impossible just a year ago.
Next, I focused on rebuilding my muscle strength. I joined a local gym and committed to a consistent resistance training program. Trading long hours of typing for lifting weights rebuilt the functional strength I had lost to a sedentary lifestyle. My chronic lower back pain vanished, my posture improved, and I feel physically stronger and more capable in my 30s than I did in my 20s.
Combined with meal prepping nutrient-dense foods instead of relying on fast-food fuel injections, the physical work paid off. To date, I have lost 25 pounds of pure stress-weight, replacing body fat with lean muscle.
Leaving a stable, high-paying role at a global giant like Exxon was the scariest thing I have ever done, but it taught me an invaluable lesson. No salary or corporate prestige is worth your physical well-being. Today, I am working in an environment that actually respects human limits. I am finally free, full of energy, and living proof that there is life—and vibrant health—after the corporate grind.

Hello! I had the same issue as others where the subsidy was not showing. Finally, it updated with Optum and I made the first payment last week. I just got a message from my provider saying my insurance is inactive and I will have to pay out-of-pocket. I had already reached OOP max for the year and should be paying nothing. Does anyone know?

• Cigna Group emailed its US employees to say its health plan would stop paying for GLP-1 medications for weight loss, prompting an outcry from employees.
• A growing number of employers are looking to limit coverage of GLP-1s to cut expenses, as employee health-benefit costs are expected to climb and prescription dr-gs are one of the main reasons.
• Some companies that continue to cover GLP-1s are creating friction within the company, as some workers who don't use them question whether the added cost will drive up premiums for everyone.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-23/pepsi-starbucks-cigna-among-companies-dropping-glp-1-insurance-benefits

What else is next? Health insurance is too expensive already!

Two major health companies are reducing their workforce in the Phoenix metropolitan area, impacting over 150 employees. West Pharmaceutical Services is cutting 98 jobs as it divests a product line, while Becton, Di-kinson and Co. is eliminating 57 positions. These layoffs are part of broader operational shifts and manufacturing consolidations. The job reductions will occur over several months, extending into early 2027 for one company. Details regarding severance packages for affected employees have not been released.

Phoenix, Arizona

https://hoodline.com/2026/09/two-health-giants-cut-155-jobs-in-metro-phoenix-as-product-lines-shift-away/

They’re making me work all day and night and I’m causing tons of regressions. Don’t think I’m fit to work here. Coworkers are asking for proof for every little thing I want to merge now. Want to leave just need that $10k from unemployment that’s a lot of money for me…

I’m already going on vacation for like 5 weeks said I’d work for 2 of those weeks…not looking forward to it.

What do I do? I have 2 YoE and would rather not end my SWE career here but don’t want to continue jeopardizing my health.

Time to put my skills to work for good instead of evil.

I just wonder how the executives in the health insurance industry sleep at night? When your day consists of:
“How can we turn a bigger profit from the tax money that’s supposed to go to the poor starving sick people?”

Health First is laying off 214 employees, primarily in management and administrative roles. This decision follows a review aimed at improving the delivery of community health services. Three patient-facing programs will be affected, with two being absorbed internally and one ending. Affected staff will receive a 60-day paid notice period, benefits, and job search assistance. The company cited rising care costs and insufficient operating results as reasons for the reductions.

Melbourne, Florida

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2026/09/16/health-first-to-lay-off-over-200-employees/91796492007/

Isn’t it ironic that a health insurance corporation fails to provide the best health insurance coverage for its employees?

Found this gem in one of the older threads and I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. This is 100% correct. We're supposed to have the best coverage considering where we work and we're so far away from it that it's a joke.

Keeping Dell medical insurance is a great option, but cobra is very expensive. So many suggestions and options out there. If you went with another option, please share.

Teachers, parents, and former custodians voiced strong opposition to District 130's recent decision to lay off its custodial staff and hire a new contractor. Concerns were raised about deteriorating school conditions, including reports of unsanitary facilities and pest issues. Community members pleaded with the school board to reverse the decision, citing risks to student health and safety. Board members defended their actions, stating that cleanliness issues predated the contractor change and that staffing delays are due to background checks. Despite the board's defense, critics remain disheartened and vow to continue their efforts.

Crestwood, Illinois

https://abc7chicago.com/post/blue-island-illinois-school-district-130-board-address-reports-unsanitary-bathrooms-local-73-union-custodian-layoffs/19836292/

I need this job. I have a chronic disease and I can't afford being without either income or medical. Having to worry about more layoffs every single day has been only making me feel worse. It's not humane to expect us to deal with so much stress all the time. Is there even a small chance we'll go back to occasional layoffs instead of this constant threat of cuts any time soon?

I know we all freaked out when we received the letter from Optum Financial with the COBRA info, but I want to make sure everyone understands that is NOT our out of pocket premium.
Here is what you need to do (I just did it):

• either mail the form in or, following the instructions on the letter, go online to complete the registration (I think it’s best and safer doing it online).
  Use the Registration ID they provided on the letter.
  Once registered, accept the terms. Make sure to save a PDF of your acceptance. DO NOT PAY!
  What will happen next: they will notify CNC that you accepted the terms. CNC will then send COBRA the subsidy information. Once they receive that they will update your record with the amount that is due by October 1st. This amount should be around the same as you had deducted from the 9/11 paycheck (it was doubled so it covered for the month of September). It takes between 7-10 business days, from the day you accept the terms, for this process to complete (that’s why I suggest doing it online).
  You will receive a letter from Optum with your update premium then, but about you can always go back to your account online to check on the updated premium.

I called them a few minutes ago and the CSR asked me if I could share all this with my colleagues as they are getting tons of call for the same reason/concern.

Just wanted to have a clean thread to calm your hearts (I would have had a heart attack had I had to pay $1,700 a month)! ☺️

The World Health Organization is facing significant staff reductions, losing approximately 2,000 employees, which represents a quarter of its total workforce. This substantial cutback is raising concerns about the organization's capacity to address critical global health issues. Specifically, the fight against air pollution and its detrimental effects on public health is now at risk. These budget cuts, largely driven by reduced humanitarian funding from countries like the United States, have far-reaching consequences for millions worldwide. The WHO's ability to continue its vital work in combating pollution and protecting public health is now in jeopardy.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/international-geneva/layoffs-at-who-will-impact-fight-against-air-pollution/92007174

Is it true?