Feeling the discrimination today
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I just re-read it and they did specifically exempt nicotine replacement products such as gum, lozenges, etc. So that may be the loophole. Is there a way they can tell if the nicotine came from those sources vs a vape? I would think that nicotine is nicotine.
If interested, here is the wording (I sanitized it be removing my company's name)
Tobacco Surcharge
Consistent with <myCompanies> promotion of wellness, employees who are enrolled in a <myCompanies> medical plan who use tobacco products will pay a surcharge. If you enroll in a medical plan, you must indicate whether this surcharge applies to you by attesting below.
By completing this attestation, I certify that I understand and confirm the following to be true:
I currently do not use a tobacco product, nor have I used a tobacco product for the last six months
I understand the term "tobacco product" includes, but is not limited to: tobacco, tobacco-like, and products, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, hookah pipes, snuff, and chewing tobacco (exceptions to this definition include approved smoking-cessation products, such as patches, gum, and prescriptions for smoking-cessation products prescribed by a doctor while under a doctor's care as part of a tobacco cessation program)
I understand that my eligibility for waiver of the tobacco user surcharge for medical benefits is based on this attestation
I understand that misrepresentation on this attestation constitutes fraud and may result in:
Loss of medical benefit eligibility for myself and my dependents
Retroactive liability for the tobacco surcharge
Disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment
I understand that if I begin tobacco use during the plan year, I must immediately notify the <myCompanies> Benefits Center to change my status
Tobacco Surcharge
Consistent with <myCompanies> promotion of wellness, employees who are enrolled in a <myCompanies> medical plan who use tobacco products will pay a surcharge. If you enroll in a medical plan, you must indicate whether this surcharge applies to you by attesting below.
By completing this attestation, I certify that I understand and confirm the following to be true:
I currently do not use a tobacco product, nor have I used a tobacco product for the last six months
I understand the term "tobacco product" includes, but is not limited to: tobacco, tobacco-like, and products, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, hookah pipes, snuff, and chewing tobacco (exceptions to this definition include approved smoking-cessation products, such as patches, gum, and prescriptions for smoking-cessation products prescribed by a doctor while under a doctor's care as part of a tobacco cessation program)
I understand that my eligibility for waiver of the tobacco user surcharge for medical benefits is based on this attestation
I understand that misrepresentation on this attestation constitutes fraud and may result in:
Loss of medical benefit eligibility for myself and my dependents
Retroactive liability for the tobacco surcharge
Disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment
I understand that if I begin tobacco use during the plan year, I must immediately notify the <myCompanies> Benefits Center to change my status
It is almost saying if you use liquids when asking if you drink alcohol.
At first I wasn't sure where I stood as I was still formulating an opinion. I have decided that vaping is not smoking and trying to say it is is just plain false. It's like trying to put a gasoline tax on someone who rides a bicycle. They are not the same.
Although most NRT is now available without a prescription, it sounds like the best way to CYA is go ahead and get your dr to prescribe some NRT, *and make a note of it in your chart," -- real nicotine replacement, not that chantix poison -- and get that prescription filled. No need to take it, but this way, if they ever test you for nicotine or nicotine metabolites, you have it ON RECORD that you are prescribed NRT by your doctor.
Andria
Andria - you are a devious one. 
I thought the same - why do you need a prescription when you can just buy NRT (which doesn't work anyway). Well, I guess so they can track you, inconvenience you, and I'm sure their crappy insurance won't cover it, nor the doctor visit to get the prescription. LOL Crazy. Good thing we can laugh so we don't have to scream or cry.
I thought the same - why do you need a prescription when you can just buy NRT (which doesn't work anyway). Well, I guess so they can track you, inconvenience you, and I'm sure their crappy insurance won't cover it, nor the doctor visit to get the prescription. LOL Crazy. Good thing we can laugh so we don't have to scream or cry.
Nicotine is a vascular constrictor and not benign for all people, just like caffeine. Nicotine is used for some diseases like ulcerative colitis, Parkinsons, Tourette's, Alzheimers, ADD, schizophrenia and so on. Those people got stuck with enough of a bum rap without charging them more for insurance.
Many people vape unflavored, I am right now.
Since insurance is going that route, how about we just expand it to make it more fair for everybody. We know eating at restaurants can be dangerous. Lets tack on another $40 a month for those folks. Trying to make a living as a coal miner is really dangers so about another $150 a month for them. People with cancer are a real PITA so lets just severely curtail what treatments they can receive. Cookies, soda, cheese, bacon, ice cream and so on is all bad for you so for an extra $5 a month for each and every one of those. People are seriously injured in car crashes every single day so whats fair? Extra $100 a month for people who ride in cars. Just wait until they get to any physical activity.
That they think something might be bad doesn't give them the right to charge somebody more for using it. They dont charge more for excessive alcohol or drug use but they can make a fast buck off of tobacco users because nobody cares about them.
ulcerative colitis, Parkinsons, Tourette's, Alzheimers, ADD, schizophrenia and so on. Those people got stuck with enough of a bum rap without charging them more for insurance.
Yes there have been some bad things found in flavors and that's why they were removed. Those that didn't have found themselves in deep doodoo. DIY is route to know exactly what is in your (anyones) vape.
Andria - you are a devious one.
Devious might as well be my middle name.
But I don't see a single ethical problem with that plan, since they have no ethical right to treat vapers the same as smokers, yet they do it anyway. As noted, yes, all that NRT crap is available OTC now, but to really CYA and avoid problems down the road, going thru the doc/prescription channel would undoubtedly serve you best, since that gets the 'approved NRT' on the record. So if they test you, find nicotine or, more likely, cotinine, in your blood, you have that prescription to wave at them. However you probably will want to avoid WTA, since that would leave other tobacco alkaloids/metabolites which you would have no way to account for with regular NRT.Andria
Here is the thread where I first announced I was getting screwed...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...500637-add-me-list-those-getting-screwed.html
The fourth post is a copy of the Tobacco Surcharge Policy.
I avoided getting screwed this year by taking the first option and enrolling in a smoking cessation class.
I am pretty sure they are going to change that next year though.
But I've got another angle I'm going to check into...
Like you I am considering telling them I use nicotine gum on occasion to keep from me from smoking.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...500637-add-me-list-those-getting-screwed.html
The fourth post is a copy of the Tobacco Surcharge Policy.
I avoided getting screwed this year by taking the first option and enrolling in a smoking cessation class.
I am pretty sure they are going to change that next year though.
But I've got another angle I'm going to check into...
Like you I am considering telling them I use nicotine gum on occasion to keep from me from smoking.
Of course, you'll need to submit your grocery receipts monthly for review purposes.
I recently had to fill out a form like that to. But I declined the penalty and said that I don't smoke, which is true, and that I don't vape either.
F...The government and the people that wanna penalize me for living my life, it's nobodies business but mine. Since I quit analogs my oxygen level has went up 3%.
F...The government and the people that wanna penalize me for living my life, it's nobodies business but mine. Since I quit analogs my oxygen level has went up 3%.
Too late; any car with "OnStar" or equivalent has GPS, probably has the electronic "lock down" thing, which they use to find and shut down stolen cars. A car dealer here in Lawrenceville does their own financing, and require you to sign an agreement that they can shut your car down if you don't make your payments on time.
Big Brother is already riding along in any car with those electronics.
Andria
If you ever get into a accident you will know. They will try decline any medical claim for injury you have by putting you at fault. The insurer will calculate your average speed, braking, miles you drive, times you drive, how often you drive, and more. Think about it.
Weird? Just kidding. A lot of people vape 0mg.
Guess what the worst seller is in the vape shop?? 0 mg nic e liquid. Now I wonder why that is?? LOL.
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