Supermarkets and grocery stores issue convenience cards to their customers. Some companies call them coupons discount cards, check cashing cards or loyalty cards. These cards give customers the abilities to grab the savings and pay with a check at the check-out counter without the hassle of clipping coupons from the store flyers before paying for their purchases. Natural News reports on March 3 that those discounts we rely on may just be increasing your insurance rates.
With technology the way it has grown over the years it is easy to monitor and keep track of purchasing behaviors though an innocent surveillance technique. When a customer completes a store application, that information is then added to your financial record. In other words it is now part of your credit rating so when a credit check is processed with your name it can also contain the types of foods that you frequently purchase.
What does this mean? Besides having another piece of your privacy taken away it can also work against you. Using the store card for discounts will tell an insurance company just how health conscious you really are, or not.
This can back fire against you as well. Imagine going to the store and purchasing items you enjoy that aren’t super foods, all vegetables, lean meats and grains. Instead you purchase fatty foods, junk food, prepared foods high in sodium. You get the picture.
Now when an insurance company reviews this information they can use this information against you and deny some of the health insurance claims that you may submit. Now they have proof that some of the health conditions that one may suffer from are directly linked to their purchased at the supermarket.
Imagine having your insurance rates increase because of poor eating habits? Now they have proof of your purchases and can set up a policy for you without a medical examination and still be able to obtain personal information as to how your health may be in danger or conditions they can assume will affect you later down the road.
Processed foods are full sodium nitrates, additives and preservatives that can increase your change of cancer. When ice cream, cakes, cookies and candies are bought in excess they now know which can increase your chances of becoming a diabetic or obese. Fatty meats or processed meats can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. The amount of alcoholic beverages on the list can lead to high blood pressure and kidney failure disease.
Are we telling our insurance companies to raise our premiums without even knowing it through our grocery purchases? Are we making the announcement to anyone who runs a credit check on us that we are headed for a heart attack or worse because of our eating habits? Do you think it is right for this private information to be passed along and available to anyone? Do you think you should be denied a medical claim because you once in a while like to splurge and treat yourself to an inner craving?
What do you think of your discount grocery card now?
© 2013 Beverly Mucha / All Rights Reserved
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