E-Cigs = Tabacco User for Insurance?
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I am able to switch to non-smoker status after 6mos without any tobacco use. E-cigs were banned from use on my employers property along with all tobacco use of any kind about 2 years ago. No mention of it anywhere in our health insurance policy. Really looking forward to saving ~$40 a month 
After first 6 months Dr. listed me as ex smoker. After 1 yr I was officially listed as a non smoker.
Considering I have only smoked like 3 analogs this year, I was hoping I would qualify as a non-tobacco user next year. I was mainly curious if insurance companies considered ecig users as tobacco users simply based on nicotine content. If they do count it as tobacco I think we are getting a raw deal. My company also offers like a $400-500 year credit toward their insurance plans for taking a "Tobacco Free Pledge" which I DO plan on doing next year.
Another big concern I have is from the Life insurance portion. If I claim non-smoker I get a discount here too, but when someone dies they do blood work and if it shows high levels of nicotine I am afraid they would claim I was still a smoker and invalidate the policy.
Another big concern I have is from the Life insurance portion. If I claim non-smoker I get a discount here too, but when someone dies they do blood work and if it shows high levels of nicotine I am afraid they would claim I was still a smoker and invalidate the policy.
Many times you can get the "tobacco free" details online anonymously from your Insurance Co.
This is a very good question!
I know people who have been smoke free for years, and are still using these products.
I would be concerned with this too, but would the same go for someone who used the patch, or chewed nic gum?
I know people who have been smoke free for years, and are still using these products.
Our health insurance supplement through the retired employees of the State of SC considers you a non-smoker after 6 months and allows the use of ecigs under terms of non-smoking. This saved us $70 a month.
Life insurance is a different story. Ecigs are considered tobacco or tobacco products use for life insurance.
Life insurance is a different story. Ecigs are considered tobacco or tobacco products use for life insurance.
Sticky area here. The problem from what I have dealt with is when they classify ppl as smoker or non smoker the quickest/cheapest way for them to tell is to use a blood test for nicotine. Unfortunately I think the only way to force insurance companies to change this practice would be gov't legislature, or act of god. I'm guessing both are as likely as an albino squirrel crawling out my rear holding the American flag in one hand and a sparkler in the other while singing the national anthem.
I've read that if you get your nic down to 6mg or less you're very likely to pass a nic test. That's not much nic and you don't absorb nic very well with an e-cig anyway.
Possibly, but keep in mind the individual. Someone who puffs 50 or 60 in a day would have a lower nic level than someone who chain vapes all day ,using the same strength juice. I'd say it doesn't hurt to try but I am not a lawyer,and you may find yourself charged with perjury if you claim smoke free and they find high enough levels of nicotine in you blood.
Well, perjury is lying in a courtroom under oath. I imagine the worst thing an insurance company can do is charge you the higher rate.
Not necessarily. Most of the paperwork that I have signed just above the signature states something to the effect of " I understand that, under penalty of perjury, the above information is factual and accurate to the best of my ability'......etc. I have not tested this,nor do I want to. YPMV(Your Paperwork May Vary)
YPMV(Your Paperwork May Vary)
Actually lying to the insurance company would be considered insurance fraud and would likely result in an immediate cancellation of your policy and they could possibly sue you for any money they spent toward paying bills that they could in any way link back to tobacco use. Since smoking can lead to illness in nearly every system of your body, you could end up having to pay them back for every $ they spent since you switched status.
I will probably just call them this October when open enrollment begins.
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Unless they specifically qualify or disqualify ecig use, I can't see how anyone could be considered as having perjured themselves by claiming to be smoke-free. IMHO ... If there was some kind of contention after the fact, I think there would be ample proof outside of nicotine levels that a person was, or had been, smoke-free for x period of time.
Vape On!
smoker!!!
And there you have it in one succinct sentence! Don't kid yourselves...nicotine is not, and I repeat not, risk free, ask any cardiologist. If you were a smoker you are/were addicted to nicotine plain and simple. If you were not addicted you could have just vaped 0mg and quit smoking presto bingo. Insurance companies always want to stack the deck in their favor. Bottom line, insurance no matter what kind it is, is a business and they make their money by taking in more money than they pay out....period. It is always in their interest to deny anything they can and pay out the least they can get away with. JMHO
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