The rising costs of COVID treatment is causing many organizations to consider raising health insurance premiums on their workers that refuse to get vaccinated. Employers are searching for ways to minimize the risk of breakout infections when they reopen offices as the virus continues to spread across cities, hospitals start to run out of beds again and the vaccination rates continue to slow down.

Some may see this in a negative light but how is this really different from higher car insurance premiums on careless drivers, increased tax on cigarette and alcohol or sugar products

The cost for COVID treatment varies around the world. FAIR Health in New York USA average it out at $38,221. CNBC report that America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade group for insurers puts the cost also in that range.

Healthcare Finance, however average out that the cost of hospital care for COVID-19 much higher ranging from $51,000 to $78,000, based on age.

Company Leadership always has to keep their eyes on the bottom-line, regardless of whether it is increased insurance premiums or impact to productivity due to absence. Now they have to consider mandating COVID vaccination which may also cause staff to leave, however they have to decide which side of the double edged blade cuts deeper. Google, Disney, Walmart and McDonalds in US have made it clear that their staff must be vaccinated as has the publishers Bloomsbury over in UK.

I think everyone needs to do what they can to limit the increasing financial damage being caused by COVID so you either take the vaccine or understand that there may be a premium to be paid.