Health insurance question

[riverwinds]

First of all, I want to thank this forum and its' exceptional members for educating and leading me in the right directions. After much procrastinating on the subject of quitting, I have finally taken the plunge, anticipating the arrival of my Joye 510 and Ego.

My question is: When I do vape full time instead of smoking analogs, does that qualify me as a nonsmoker for health insurance, or life insurance purposes? Any info on this would be much appreciated.

 

[NobodyLikesMe]

I was wondering the same thing, maybe "non-tobacco user" is the term to use.

 

[TexasT]

Hi riverwinds and welcome to ECF.

Please don't feel your question is being ignored and there are a lot of us that would like to know the answer. I liked NoBodyLikesMe's response and possibly that is the most honest answer to give.

 

[piratecaptainbob]

yea thats a tough one. now ive read that some insurance companies test for nicotine in your system. but if you were on the patch for say 1 month out of the 10 week program would the insurance company consider you a smoker? in my opinion you would not be a smoker. nicotine does not necassarily mean smoker.

 

[Lil' Lou]

As far as life insurance goes, you need to check around. Unfortunately, it is my understanding that you are still considered a 'smoker' if there is nicotine/cotinine found in your system. Even people using the patch/gum, etc... fall into this category.
Can you hide smoking from life insurance companies?

 

[petem]

I think most ask if you have used tobacco products in the last 12 months. IMHO vaping is not using tobacco products.

 

[LKin]

Hi riverwinds and welcome to ECF.

Please don't feel your question is being ignored and there are a lot of us that would like to know the answer.

That's me. I'm dreading the day I change my status at work to non-smoker.

For profit motives, or ignorance, I think some companies will still treat you like a smoker. I don't know.

I was wondering the same thing, maybe "non-tobacco user" is the term to use.

I really like that. Very accurate and very honest.

I fear that still being considered a smoker for health insurance at work will push me back to analogues. I'd really be bummer out.

If I understand it right, the problem for insurance companies is there is no way to test for tobacco or smoke. They can only test for a byproduct the body creates when breaking down nicotine.

I'm eager to find out how it all comes out in the wash.

 

[Stainedrugz]

You can not hide it a simple mouth swab can detect nicotine, insurance companies will find any loophole they can should something happen to you. They are getting more and more careful about their wording. Some use the word Nicotine and some use tobacco. Read your policy if it says tobacco well your not lying, while you are still not inhaling smoke that is a legal game I don't think I would risk playing if you should end up needing to use your insurance for a serious reason.
\
From an Ex insurance agent....

 

[Bozzlite]

When you apply for health or life insurance, they may want you to submit to blood or urine tests. These tests are checking for nicotine. Not tar or carbon monoxide or the other 3000 things in cig smoke.

Well, so there's nicotine present in the test, therefore you must smoke or chew or dip. Where else could the nicotine come from? Some kind of electronic device? Never heard of such. Denied!! or rates much higher.

 

[oettinger]

Not that it is the same, BUT, the VA classifies me as a non-smoker. They get past the crap, and do a lung capacity test, and x-rays of your lungs. BUT the VA will also not prescribe CHANTIX because of the MANY harmful side effects.

 

[Pav]

I'm not saying I did this, but a friend of mine has insurance that charges a $50 per month nicotene fee. After going to vaping my friend (let's just call him Vap) declined to pay the "nicotene fee" even though there is still Nic in his system from vaping. They have not tested for it so far, and Vap now has $50 extra bucks a month to spend on vaping gear.

If they do test for it and want to charge the $50 again they could be in for some resistance!

Wonder how a court fight for that would go.

 

[riverwinds]

Thanks all for your insight and articles. It appears to be quite a grey area. But like Stainedrugz said the word 'tobacco' on the forms appears to be the key, but again with clarification from the company. I don't want my loved ones to be the ones to suffer.
Oettinger, your a lucky person, for the VA to go beyond the easy route out.

 

[IndieVisible]

Can you get nicotine from any thing else?

 

[spider362]

Yes, but not much...

The nicotine contents of vegetables

 

[CaptJay]

It varies from company to company - some test for nicotine (I think they actually test for cotine) and some use the lung capacity test and some jsut take you at your word. There are some out there that have reclassified their members as non smokers once they stop inhaling smoke - the same way some doctors have.
Really a nicotine test is BS in my view if they ignore your use of caffiene because a heavy coffee drinker is going to have the same issues with venous and arterial circulation that a nicotine user (NOT a smoker) might have. Some even ignore alcohol use in favor of nicotine use which to me again is totally ridiculous.
The bottom line with most insurance companies is that they don't want to pay out unless they HAVE to - so anything that gets them more cash to cushion that is going to be something they look at.

 

[Arthur Dent]

That's been my observation as well. Vapor so far is not classified as a tobacco product.

 

[Tober138]

The only problem with a vapor referring to themselves as a non-smoker, if the insurance company is looking at "nicotine" usage, is that they may: come back to collect additional, unpaid premium fees, refuse coverage for procedures, or drop coverage altogether for you not "coming clean".

As someone who works in the health care / big bad pahrma industry, my suggestion is to go back to the insurance company and find out their classification for someone who is a former smoker currently using a nicotine replacement system. Ask them how they classify a former smoker who is now on the patch, for example. And then use that as a guideline.

 

[tgcrna]

When my health insurance (through my employer - a hospital) renewal comes due I plan to claim a non-tobacco status. They charge an extra $20 per pay period (2 weeks) for tobacco users. To avoid the hassle, I plan to vape 0 nicotine juice for a few days before the blood test. I don't believe I am being dishonest because I am not a tobacco user. But instead of having to try to explain the e-cigarettes, I'll test "clean".

 

[AmyB66]

I've been wondering the same thing as we have open enrollment next month. Won't matter too much because dear hubby won't give up the analogs yet.

But here are two points.....first, with all the bans going on etc, I would much rather see my PV and liquid classified as tobacco and even taxed rather than see it go the smoking cessation/medical route because once it falls into pharmacy/medical, I think it would be controlled even more and second, alot of the tobacco flavored liquids have tobacco itself in it, it's seeped into the pg if I am correct. Also the nic itself, does it not come from a tobacco plant? Which then makes it a tobacco product. I guess even if I could get the husband to quit I'd still rather not risk it. The 400 bucks extra a year? If someone gets hurt or ill and ends up with a monster medical bill, they'll go looking for any excuse and leave you holding the bag.

But now that I see this post, I intend to call the benefits rep and ask. I'd want it in writing though if it was to go in my favor. Best to play it safe IMO opinion, all it takes is being at the wrong place at the wrong time, bad accident, hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills......nothing to fool around with.

 

[Cyia]

I know car insurance you could put as a non smoker. Since their only liability would be something technically on fire in your car could be a hazard and the smoke inside the car can effect things. as for life insurance i have no clue