Doctors & Health Insurance Question...

[martha1014]

i put non smoker on all forms that I fill out. If they test for nicotine I can always say I wear a patch.

I think most people who didn't understand what ecigs are would classify you as a smoker.

[piratecaptainbob]

pretty soon they will have to change the form asking are you a smoker? no are you a vaper? yes, and adjust your rates for the nicotine but not toxins etc. unless it all gets banned then idk

[potholerepairman]

On health insurance or doctor form I have always said no -smoker.Insurance is such a racket, on the level of evil it goes right below mobile check-cashing vans.Everyone needs insurance just not the way they exclude deny or overcharge for it.The health record is too permanant for me to tell em I ever smoked.

[ElectroLoki]

I'm planning on indicating that I'm a non-smoker I think, as I came to the same conclusion. It is of course COMMON SENSE we're talking about here, and there's very little of THAT around!

Yeah, you speak the truths. I only hope that a blood test doesn't come up (its a random check they do occasionally here) and if I get denied then wish me luck in defending my case!

[Taegost]

Hrmm, interesting, I didn't think about that when I initially decided to start vaping... I guess it's pretty much a moot point, but I plan on saying non-smoker as well, because it will be true.

[Moonflame]

I started at a new Doctor recently and I answered that no I did not smoke and then wrote in above it that I use and e-cig for Nicotine Replacement.

[Poeia]

I told my doctor that I quit by using a PV and he was delighted. A couple of weeks ago I went nicotine free and his reaction is that my getting pneumonia might be the most advantageous infection ever. I would definitely tell a new doctor about my smoking history. There are potential long-term effects from smoking that he should know to be on the lookout for.

But most forms ask if you smoked in the last 12 months. Five and a half months from now I get to say "no."

[johnnybgdg]

I would not even bring vaping up. the questions asks "do you smoke" the answer is no!!
I will be contacting my insurance to let them know that i quit smoking and see if or when that will re-adjust my rate.
Thanks for bringing that up, I didn't even think about that.
Keep Vaping

[Sarlen]

Blue Cross Blue Shield considers the use of a PV as Nicotine Replacement Therapy. To qualify for the cheaper non smoker rates you must not have smoked OR been on a Nicotine Replacement Therapy program in the last 12 months. That is the explanation I was given from HR, confirmed with an online chat with the insurance company.

[ElectroLoki]

Ah, Sarlen, so your insurance place considers vaping to be on par with smoking huh? Thats just... not right.

johnnybgdg, see... NOT bringing it up could be construed as lying about the whole thing, and would not be in your favour.

Nicotine replacement... its a good term. Worth remembering for use if any of proverbial excrement DOE hit the fan.

(Admins/Mods might wanna include a section about PV's and insurance in one of the newbie guides? Or pin this one? Quite an important topic I think!)