Health Insurance and E-cigs

[cookiebun]

Found it finally!
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...5-greatest-myths-we-heard-about-e-cigs-6.html
Not sure jlarsens reply is correct though. I can't do the math myself.

 

[LeAnn]

Our increase is $30 a month and it is not only for the employee but everyone in the family that smokes. My husband quit over a year ago and I vape, but my son still smokes so I am having to take him off my health insurance, he has a job and will quailfy for his own by then anyways. Needless to say I said "NO" to tobbacco use. If they consider e-cigs, they have to consider all NRT and they are the ones giving them out for free at the moment, so I don't think they will consider banning my use of e-cigs do you?

 

[Devonmoonshire]

Wow, Okay I gotta stay out of this post, it is really making my stomach churn and truly become nauseous at the thought of how many Companies are considering levying penalties against something that they truly know nothing about.

Let me say this, I am required to see my Doctors on a regular basis in my line of work. Every Single Doctor I have has given nothing but Praise to me about the Positive impacts it has had on my over all health.

For example:

1 BP with analogs 138 over 92 BP after I began vaping as of my checkup 2 months ago 113/70

2 Pulse Oxygen with Analogs 94% Pulse Oxygen after I began Vaping as of my checkup 2 months ago 98%

3 I am required to run a mile and a half periodically throughout the year: On Analogs my run time was 13 minutes 45 Seconds, after I began Vaping as of my last Run 3 weeks ago 10 minutes 38 seconds.

Those numbers are Fact, there is no disputing them because they are documented in official medical records. These have been my results, granted others may have different results, however these are mine and I say to heck with anyone who says these are bad for you.


That is my Top Three Benefits that have been medically Proven, that is ALL I need to know, and now every time I go to my doctors office I do so with the names, websites or if I have them Business Cards for Cigeasy, E-Cig City, Cignot and E-Liquid Emporium because my Doctors want to guide more of their patients towards these.

I would be willing to be a test subject to further the testing to get these accepted as a Healthy Alternative to Tobacco Use, just to prove that it is I would voluntarily become a Guinea Pig for them.


Sincerely;
Nate aka Darth Vapor

 

[cookiebun]

Our increase is $30 a month and it is not only for the employee but everyone in the family that smokes. My husband quit over a year ago and I vape, but my son still smokes so I am having to take him off my health insurance, he has a job and will quailfy for his own by then anyways. Needless to say I said "NO" to tobbacco use. If they consider e-cigs, they have to consider all NRT and they are the ones giving them out for free at the moment, so I don't think they will consider banning my use of e-cigs do you?

If you look at the other threads I mentioned you'll see most of the insurance companies consider nicotine = tobacco.
If you say no, continue to vape with nicotine you could end up with problems if you get tested or have to make a claim. Say you go to the ER with a racing heart. Your insurance company could refuse to pay any of the costs because you neglected to tell them you used nicotine which is known to cause heart issues with some people (like myself). You'll get socked with an enormous bill you can't pay. It may have been easier and cheaper in the long run to just call your self a tobacco user . Ask your insurance company their policy on NRT. Don't mention vaping.

 

[mostlyclassics]

cookiebun, it says "10kg of eggplant is equivalent to one cigarette."

Ten kilograms is about 22 pounds of the purple fruit.

I like eggplant almost any way it's served, but 22 pounds would be much more than I'd care to tackle in one sitting!

 

[cookiebun]

cookiebun, it says "10kg of eggplant is equivalent to one cigarette."

Ten kilograms is about 22 pounds of the purple fruit.

I like eggplant almost any way it's served, but 22 pounds would be much more than I'd care to tackle in one sitting!

Lol Thanks for that.
I know there are about 28 grams in an ounce but I get confused with metric terms when you go higher than that.

 

[JustaGuy]

If you look at the other threads I mentioned you'll see most of the insurance companies consider nicotine = tobacco.
If you say no, continue to vape with nicotine you could end up with problems if you get tested or have to make a claim. Say you go to the ER with a racing heart. Your insurance company could refuse to pay any of the costs because you neglected to tell them you used nicotine which is known to cause heart issues with some people (like myself). You'll get socked with an enormous bill you can't pay. It may have been easier and cheaper in the long run to just call your self a tobacco user . Ask your insurance company their policy on NRT. Don't mention vaping.

+1, it's called Rescission and insurance companies do it all the time, some said to have entire departments responsible for "reducing" claims expenses.

 

[x-smok3]

If you look at the other threads I mentioned you'll see most of the insurance companies consider nicotine = tobacco.
If you say no, continue to vape with nicotine you could end up with problems if you get tested or have to make a claim. Say you go to the ER with a racing heart. Your insurance company could refuse to pay any of the costs because you neglected to tell them you used nicotine which is known to cause heart issues with some people (like myself). You'll get socked with an enormous bill you can't pay. It may have been easier and cheaper in the long run to just call your self a tobacco user . Ask your insurance company their policy on NRT. Don't mention vaping.

Excellent advice cookiebun. I believe I will follow your advice regarding asking them about their policy on NRT without mentioning vaping. Also thanks for the links, they too were very informative.
To everyone, I appreciate all of your comments and suggestions, as always ECF members are the best!!

 

[GIMike]

So let me get this straight. We're a country based on equal opportunity. But if you happen to be using a non-OTC widely accepted drug, then you can be denied employment or fined by your job? Are they going to do the same thing for people who are using sleep aids at night? How about people who drink coffee? This is getting pretty ridiculous. Does every generation need a group of people to throw against a wall and beat?

 

[Twisty]

So let me get this straight. We're a country based on equal opportunity. But if you happen to be using a non-OTC widely accepted drug, then you can be denied employment or fined by your job? Are they going to do the same thing for people who are using sleep aids at night? How about people who drink coffee? This is getting pretty ridiculous. Does every generation need a group of people to throw against a wall and beat?

Darn right. When ever someone else pays for something for you strings will be attached. If you don't want strings don't expect someone else to pay. That's the way of the world. When it is expected for an employer to pay for health care expect the employer to try to only employ healthy people.

 

[GIMike]

But wait a minute, that ain't right. Cause is it not true that they can't discriminate against handicapped people? And being fat is now considered a handicap, people can get special plates for it. So really, they can't discriminiate against anybody but nicotine users (aside from the standard drug/alcohol tests)?

 

[wdave]

Hello All,
I am asking opinions here, I already know that all insurance is different and may or may not specify E-cig use. At my place of work there is a question on the yearly form about tobacco use. I am going to mark no due to the fact that I do not consider nicotine as tobacco use. This will save me $50 dollars every month on my health insurance premium. In my opinion, if they don't specify E-cig use then I am being truthful. After all if I were using a patch, gum, etc. I would still be using nicotine.
My questions are:
1. Have others on the forum had the question arise with their health (or for that matter life) insurance and if so how did it play out?
2. In your opinion would it be unethical to mark no? My integrity is very valuable to me and I don't want to split hairs just to save money.

I know I can ask my HR department but I don't really want to give them any ideas about adding specifics about E-cigs if it has not occurred to them.

When it comes to this issue it really doesn't matter what you think. It probably doesn't even matter what the FDA thinks.

 

[GIMike]

It's true. What matters is what the employers want. College degrees are getting to the point where they aren't helping people get jobs. So what I'm guessing we'll be seeing soon is people with masters degrees working at walmart or mcdonald's because they smoked 3 years ago and now use snus or an ecig and these are the only jobs available to those dirty nicotine users.

 

[JustaGuy]

Does every generation need a group of people to throw against a wall and beat?

Salem Witch Hunts, Prohibition, Spanish Inquisition...yes, sadly. One person is smart. The mob is dumb.

 

[beachpuff]

Came across this while job hunting today...

Effective January 1, 2011, applicants being considered for employment at Florida Hospital Waterman will be tested for nicotine use as part of their regular pre-employment screening. Those who are identified as tobacco users will be ineligible for employment, but may reapply in six months.

Guess I won't apply here.

 

[JustaGuy]

Came across this while job hunting today...

Guess I won't apply here.

It sounds like if a person quits today, his/her blood would be nic free in 6 months and pass their "screening"? It's not you "won't" apply but "can't" apply and that is the problem. If nic was PC, people would've lined up to file discrimination suits. Alas, it's not.

 

[sln88]

well, the asam defined addiction as a brain disorder. Does that mean nic addicts have a medical condition? if they get fired would that be discrimination?
Medical society redefines addiction as brain disorder - The Globe and Mail

anyhow, what if you use the patch to try to quit? could you still check the "no" box for tobacco use? if yes, there should not be any difference with e-cigs, right? Moot point for us- you have to be tobacco free for an entire year for our insurance. which costs a fortune and sucks for coverage(sigh)

 

[Pamdane]

When(not if) you get the drug test, results ARE shared with the insurance company. They test for nicotine, and unless you vape "0" nic, it will come out positive. SOME tests will check for the residual results of combustion chemicals.
This came up last month for me on hubbys work insurance. I called the company direct and got their stance. They said e-cig use is NOT smoking to them(actually they asked me what I used and where to get them- they are trying to get their peeps off cigs too).
Hubbys last insurance DID consider vaping as smoking and we had an issue.
As previously stated, you need to call the insurance PROVIDER, not HR, and ask. You will be caught otherwise, and insurance tracks denials. Just listen to the insurance commercials "even if you were denied insurance in the past" is a very common catch phrase for a reason.

 

[Laffs]

I agree, Pamdane. The state pays my insurance premium and as of Jan. 1, 2012, tobacco users will have to pay $75 in addition to that for each person covered. You pay the premiums for a spouse or your children. If they are tobacco users, the $75 is per household member who uses. Which is fair enough, considering the health costs smokers etc incur being higher than your 'average' persons. Well, not the huge lady down the hall from me, nor the evening drunk a few buildings over, but in general.

They sent out an email, and it stated that e-cigarette users are not considered tobacco users, unless they also use a tobacco product as well. I was pleasantly surprised! Especially since Texas' DADS is not exactly well known for being cutting edge.

 

[FLGator]

Has anyone who's been vaping 0mg juice gone and got tested? Will 0mg nic juice (for the most part) guarantee that it doesn't show up on a test?