Handling of e-cigarettes by some insurers, employers a drag for users

[BuGlen]

A good article on how insurance companies are starting to view e-cigarettes, featuring quotes from Elaine Keller and Bill Godshall

Handling of e-cigarettes by some insurers, employers a drag for users | TribLIVE

 

[Petrodus]

Mommie government via Obama Care has already established
e-smokers will be punished (for disobeying) with higher premiums.

 

[Bill Godshall]

This article appeared on the front page of today's (Sunday's) Pittsburgh Tribune Review. I had a lengthy interview with the reporter a week ago, exposing the many lies about e-cigarettes and punitive sanctions against e-cigarette consumers being proposed (and sometimes implemented) by e-cigarette opponents.

 

[BuGlen]

Mommie government via Obama Care has already established e-smokers will be punished (for disobeying) with higher premiums.

While the ACA (Obama Care) establishes the means by which the insurance companies can charge more for nicotine users, it's really up to the insurance company on whether or not they will charge higher premiums for THR products. There have been a few posts in other areas of ECF with testimony of people who have had good experiences with their health insurance companies considering vapers as non-smokers, and thereby getting the reduced premiums. I'm guessing that this provision of the law (along with other loopholes) was added to the ACA through lobbying by the big insurance companies, and it probably wasn't a hard sell to either side of the isle.

 

[Vocalek]

How refreshing that the reporter did not decide to "balance" statements by Bill and me by interviewing the chimpanzee.

 

[2coils]

While the ACA (Obama Care) establishes the means by which the insurance companies can charge more for nicotine users, it's really up to the insurance company on whether or not they will charge higher premiums for THR products. There have been a few posts in other areas of ECF with testimony of people who have had good experiences with their health insurance companies considering vapers as non-smokers, and thereby getting the reduced premiums. I'm guessing that this provision of the law (along with other loopholes) was added to the ACA through lobbying by the big insurance companies, and it probably wasn't a hard sell to either side of the isle.

I am dealing with my insurance broker on this as we speak. I am told that the company that we have for our health insurance considers ALL nicotine use for the surcharge. I am not sure how to deal with this as three of the six of us at work are vapers. My broker said even the insurance companies don't know how to handle Obama Care and everything is a mess. He mentioned, that if the insurance companies don't understand the law, its impossible for the brokers to understand whats going on. I am going to have to do some of the leg work myself and call our insurance company directly to get some answers. The other problem is I've been told that only a couple of companies are still writing in Jersey. Thinks makes it nearly impossible to shop around.

 

[aikanae1]

I'm not sure insurance companies would know either way. It might be an interesting study to take the nic blood levels of vapers and see how much shows up. I've heard reports that it shows up to about the level of "someone who lives with a smoker". If true, that would make a lot of this a mute point.

 

[2coils]

I'm not sure insurance companies would know either way. It might be an interesting study to take the nic blood levels of vapers and see how much shows up. I've heard reports that it shows up to about the level of "someone who lives with a smoker". If true, that would make a lot of this a mute point.

I agree, though is it worth risking an expensive claim being denied if they do find out?? Guess its personal preference there!

 

[aikanae1]

Have the nic in your blood tested independently.

I think it would be a good idea for a number of people to do and send in to CASAA or some other org to compile. If the nic is low, then a lot of the claims ANTZ is spouting would become meaningless based on the data. It would be hard for them to claim bias if people were using different labs and getting similar results.

 

[aikanae1]

How refreshing that the reporter did not decide to "balance" statements by Bill and me by interviewing the chimpanzee.

I'm not sure what you meant by "chimpanzee".

 

[AgentAnia]

I'm not sure what you meant by "chimpanzee".

See post #3: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/media-general-news/471623-illustrated-book-bad-arguments.html

 

[aikanae1]

"Peculiarly, Professor Glantz, holder of a degree in mechanical engineering, is often quoted about matters of smoking."

Good one....