Employee data concept Employers are signing on for data-mining services despite concerns about just how deeply they can mine health data. (Image: Shutterstock)

Few areas of the corporate world are fraught with the conflicting objectives found in employee health. Company health plans are designed to maintain employee health. Healthy employees are more productive. And generous health coverage bolsters recruitment and retention, a key goal in the zero-employment economy.

But benefits are also a nagging cost center. And many employers are uncertain about the legality of analyzing the health data their plans create.

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Dan Cook

Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.