Healthcare ?

[cdre]

I was not sure where to ask this whithin the forum but here goes..

My company's healthcare enrollment is upon me and I guess I would now consider myself a "non-smoker" now(1 month). I have been employed at this place or a few years now and have always checked "no" (lie) when it comes to the enrollment questionaire. I don't like lying, but the penalties (withdrawn money) are HUGE!

I am curious as to what some of my fellow "e-smokers" have done or experienced when put in the same situation.

I plan on checking the "no" box this time, again.

 

[shasta]

My company doesn't ask about smoking, but they do have a discounted plan if you join the "Wellness Program". I haven't taken advantage of it because I know that they will immediately ask me to stop smoking. Maybe next time we do new benefits enrollment, I can hopefully join the Wellness plan and get that discount! I haven't stopped smoking yet because I haven't received my order for the startup kits yet.

 

[cdre]

Thanks for the reply,

My company also has programs designed to increase fitness and health. Though none that are tied to the medical coverage they offer. I participate and end up with a free pedometer usually.... lol.

 

[quasimod]

Be totally honest, and find out for sure, BEFORE you check any boxes! Many insurance companies do a blood test for nicotine if you claim to be a non-smoker. If you develop an expensive illness, and fail that test, it could cost you big time!

 

[ZeroNullity]

It's not a simple answer. E-cigarettes are not normal cigarettes. On a medical questionnaire the answer would probably be yes & no. E-cigs don't cause the same health problems as normal cigarettes do. Here is the problem... A normal test to see if your smoking is to see if you have cotinine in your blood. Cotinine is the byproduct from nicotine. So if your still taking in nicotine you'll show positive for nicotine. Where this becomes the most problem is in life insurance policies.... where you say your not a smoker but are.. If you've been a smoker for a long time... and just stopped. Your lungs are still going to show that... since they take a very long time heal... but start healing since the second you quit. If you up & die your benefactors may have a hard time collecting. So at least be honest with your insurance company. Say you quit smoking XXX days ago, but still use a nicotine controller. And make sure it's documented so your family & loved ones won't have a problem. FYI - The half life for nicotine is about 1 hour. The half life of cotinine is about 20 hours. Which is why you have a craving for nicotine every few hours.

 

[cdre]

Be totally honest, and find out for sure, BEFORE you check any boxes! Many insurance companies do a blood test for nicotine if you claim to be a non-smoker. If you develop an expensive illness, and fail that test, it could cost you big time!

I have heard of companies doing that, but mine has not. Now would be a great time for that. (for me at least).

 

[Deschain]

If you are not smoking (drawing super heated smoke and tar into your lungs), you are a non smokers as far as I am concerned.

Would somebody who used nicotine gum be classed as a smoker?


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[ZeroNullity]

If you are not smoking (drawing super heated smoke and tar into your lungs), you are a non smokers as far as I am concerned.

Would somebody who used nicotine gum be classed as a smoker?


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Deschain, from a medical view you would NOT be classfied as smoker if you chew nicotine gum. However a medical examiner/coroner/insurance company could mistake the results. Mainly because the only reason you would have cotinine in your blood/urine would be if you smoked or were a ex-smoker trying to quit.... I don't know if a insurance company would deny a claim if you falsified you were a smoker or not. I wouldn't care about the health insurance part, just the life insurance as they rarely do urine/blood test for this... Unless you work at a nazi bootcamp & have insurance to match.