The joys of private insurance run by unelected people who care for nothing but the bottom line. Holding a job ransom to enforce a specific lifestyle is repulsive but seems to be growing in popularity.
Help me avoid a vaping penalty....
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The letter set the BMI at 29.9... they said NIH's standard was 24.9. Sounds kinda skinny to me.
If you have good conditioning and can actually run a mile, I'd bet on you before I bet on average joe at 24.9 with the couch potato life style, thats for sure. ;-)
Can an insurance carrier dictate medical treatment is another question? I know they *do* by allowing certain medications to be on their chosen tiers and covering certain procedures... but the next step then would be that insurance carriers can then also dictate whether or not you *have* to carry a pregnancy full term regardless of the situation, whether or not you can go to a specific medical professional who prescribes birth control, whether or not you have to have a physical once a year and turn that in and IF you contract a disease of any type, they don't have to cover you anymore... even though it wasn't pre-existing?!?!?
So in turn, your employer then is telling you that you cannot terminate a pregnancy, you cannot ward off an unwanted pregnancy and you cannot get ANY diseases. This also opens the door to allowing medical professionals AND pharmacists to not treat you based on their personal beliefs. EDIT: And yes, your employer does have choices regarding their carrier so to say that they are not in fact telling their employees what they can and cannot do is a far stretch. They agree to the terms set forth.
I know it seems like a far stretch... but this is where all of this type of philosophy leads and its called the "provider conscience rule".
Ooops....She Did It Again: Anti-Contraception Nurse Takes Women's Wombs into Her Own Hands | RHRealityCheck.org
Pharmacists' Rights at Front Of New Debate (washingtonpost.com)
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Well, I think that the employer is cooperating with the insurer to get overall lower rates as they were grouching that their input on our health care was 9k/year- and this will keep their costs "reasonable". Hospitals are cutting everywhere they can- no raises this year for one; now this, and I expect a LOT more in the future. But this is just the canary at the bottom of the mine for everybody else in non-health care organizations. The Cleveland Clinic won't hire anyone that tests positive for nicotine.. lately, the head of the clinic said if he had his way, he wouldn't hire anyone obese either... and it will keep narrowing down here in america and else where... just follow the money and you'll see where things are going.
I'll report my results from experimentation for the benefit of y'all when I get going on it.
It's interesting no one has mentioned the relevance of voltage to throat hit... maybe that doesn't make a difference, I'm not sure- or if it does when you have a nic juice (most high volt pv users say they cut back on nicotine mgs) but doesn't make a difference in non-nic juices.
In either case, I'll keep you current with whatever I find for well or ill.
The parameters in the letter I got today was that an outside company (Bravo Wellness) will be doing all the testing and that the acceptable nicotine outcome on a test was zero, or negative. Looks like for now, they will not be testing spouses who are on your insurance (and they made sure to say "for now") but will take a statement. There were workarounds for blood pressure (treatment from doc's, exceptions) and cholesterol workarounds (ditto the doc and meds) but nothing for nicotine. If you're on the patch or otherwise, you can get "retested" in 6 months, or "once you quit" you can submit a validatable, self paid, laboratory test of your body's zero nicotine content.
Hmm. That's interesting. These are definitely treading on some rights here. I can totally understand them not wanting persons to "smoke".
Just goes to show that the poor Tobacco Harm Reduction stance has been completely ignored.
That said, be careful when purchasing tobacco absolute as some say they do not have nicotine, but actually do. You will want to find one that is completely pure from nicotine and can prove it.
To be totally safe, find a flavor that you like other than tobacco flavor and make a VG non-nic solution out of that. Guaranteed No Nicotine.Also... I found a very interesting article that apparently:
"How long does nicotine stay in the body?
From 8590 percent of nicotine in the blood is metabolized by the liver and excreted from the kidney rapidly. The estimated half-life for nicotine in the blood is two hours. However, smoking represents a multiple dosing situation with considerable accumulation during smoking. Therefore, it can be expected that blood nicotine would persist at significant levels for six to eight hours after smoking stopped." Nicotine Addiction
This is by no means proven and I am not suggesting that anyone could ever get away with passing a nicotine test by using anything above... but if someone has those little nicotine test strips and wanted to give this little "at home nicotine experiment a test", that would be cool!
Hmm. That's interesting. These are definitely treading on some rights here. I can totally understand them not wanting persons to "smoke".
Just goes to show that the poor Tobacco Harm Reduction stance has been completely ignored.
That said, be careful when purchasing tobacco absolute as some say they do not have nicotine, but actually do. You will want to find one that is completely pure from nicotine and can prove it.
Also... I found a very interesting article that apparently:
"How long does nicotine stay in the body?
From 8590 percent of nicotine in the blood is metabolized by the liver and excreted from the kidney rapidly. The estimated half-life for nicotine in the blood is two hours. However, smoking represents a multiple dosing situation with considerable accumulation during smoking. Therefore, it can be expected that blood nicotine would persist at significant levels for six to eight hours after smoking stopped." Nicotine Addiction
This is by no means proven and I am not suggesting that anyone could ever get away with passing a nicotine test by using anything above... but if someone has those little nicotine test strips and wanted to give this little "at home nicotine experiment a test", that would be cool!
The problem is that they don't test for nicotine itself but rather for cotinine which I seem to remember took a few weeks to clear.
A friend of mine just had quadruple bypass surgery a week and a half ago. 35 years old, 155lbs and 5'9" - he NEVER smoked! His family has a history of heart disease at very early ages from one aunt having a heart attack at 27 and another at 34. None of them obese or smokers due to this family history.
Health insurance isn't about health to the people who are running it. It's about business.
I was on the ASH site yesterday and followed a link regarding the Scott Company (you know, the lawn care people whose products are no longer welcome in our house.) The CEO for Scott's decided to add these restrictions to his employees to keep health costs down and to "improve the health of his employees." The CEO also built a mega gym accross the street from Scott's corporate headquarters in conjuction with the company that ran their insurance plan, so that no employee could claim that they were not given the tools to implement Scott's new policies. Scott's drug testing also tests for nicotine and they fired a new employee for smoking at home. The reason - he failed his mandatory drug test, nicotine was present in his system. And this is what any future employer will be told, that he failed a mandatory drug test.
I believe this is legal in at least 18 states and part of the employee's lawsuit was dismissed this year in Massachusetts, as he claimed Scott's decision violated his privacy, but he admitted to smoking in public. He seems to have one more thing to litigate.
Here are two links of many about the case. I prefer not to go back to the ASH site - it was very depressing:
Smoker's lawsuit against prospective employer dismissed | Business Insurance
The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary: District Court Judge: Smoker's Lawsuit Against The Scotts Company for Employment Discrimination May Proceed on Grounds of Invasion of Privacy
I "get" some of the legalese, not all.
If I read this correctly, these restrictions will hold up in any employee "at will" state like Alabama and New Jersey.
My old job charged $10 more a pay period - $20 a month for smoker's insurance policies. If you lied and said you didn't smoke, and they caught you, you were liable to pay back all medical expenses you incurred, starting with the year they instituted the the fee. The decision was also made on the company side of the equation, not the insurance side. It was to offset fees from the insurance company.
The documents you sign when you start a job give your companies the right to do this and more. Start reading them and crossing out what you don't agree with. As an HR/Finance person, I can tell you that not all employees are created equal, and if they want you, they can let some things slide...but I was in entertainment, which was competitive and specialized. I wouldn't try it if you're looking for a job in retail. (Because of high unemployment today, who would willingly put a new job on the line for this?)
While I was on the ASH site, I also noticed that one county in Florida will not hire smokers, (must have quit for a least 2 years,) to work as tax collectors. WTF?
Bottom line, since smoking and obesity are deemed to be "controllable" health issues/lifestyle choices, and since there's a boat load of misinformation floating about, you should keep looking for a zero nicotine formula for your e-juice.
Everclear will give you the throat kick from h*ll and is available a most liquor stores. If Everclear isn't stocked, try 191 Proof Vodka. I'm experimenting with Everclear, menthol crystals and VG to cut all my juices now. With an eye towards moving to zero nic - eventually. Definitely look at the Lorann flavorings and I've seen 0 Nic juice being sold by suppliers on the forum.
If you are on the patch or gum, there is an expectation that eventually nicotine will no longer be in your system. So any doctor's regimen should have you off off nicotine in 24 weeks??? (Not sure how long the NRT therapies are supposed to go.) So, claiming that you are under a doctor's care won't work for long. And companies do retest you.
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Just checking.... Tobacco Absolute has no nic in it, or just a trace amount, right?
BTW, if anyone knows a premade ready to buy non-nic with good throat hit (or that one could add some everclear to, etc.....) please suggest!
Steve--take a look at http://www.vtvapor.com/ website. they state that their No Nic tobacco flavors have some nicotine in them due to the nicotine from the tobacco flavoring----have a look.
Sun
Specifically this quote:
- PLEASE NOTE -
Because Tobacco, Maple, & Vanilla e-Liquids contain tobacco extract,
additional nicotine (averaging .22mg/ml, but up to 1.5mg/ml)
is present in these flavors.
While this is a very small amount, those who have completely
sworn off nicotine should consider choosing a different flavor.
Sun
- PLEASE NOTE -
Because Tobacco, Maple, & Vanilla e-Liquids contain tobacco extract,
additional nicotine (averaging .22mg/ml, but up to 1.5mg/ml)
is present in these flavors.
While this is a very small amount, those who have completely
sworn off nicotine should consider choosing a different flavor.
Sun
I've got some Cinnamon from RMV (tastes like Big Red gum), and it's even better than their Mint for throat hit. I don't mix it with anything, I just try to remember not to cough when I'm inhaling -- it's harsh!
Actually, $50 a month is a cheap price to pay for freedom.Hi folks.... well, I work at a hospital and the org. is now going to penalize smokers for having nicotine on board their bodies: we got news that our health insurance will go up if
1) we are over a certain body mass index number (obese)
2) have blood cholesterol over a certain number
3) have blood pressure over certain parameters
4) have nicotine in our system
We don't have all the parameters yet, but I think its 50 bux a category (looks like it could cost up to 200 bux a month); they soften it by saying if you can prove you are under a doctor's treatment for these conditions with a plan or something you won't get 'dunned' for it. Probably except for the nicotine one.
Ok. I got all the others beat and to boot, now I'm in the best health I've had in a couple of decades now that I quit analogs last june; and vape exclusively. Even tho I vape 36mg, all my stats including Blood pressure are just tip top wonderful, etc. etc.
So, what I'm hoping for is good advice on getting a 0mg nic solution that:
1) provides throat hit,
2) provides a sweet vape,
and 3) did I say provides throat hit?
Seems to me like you gotta have a higher voltage mod and some kinda e-juice like I got no clue about, but I gotta do something soon; I think all the testing (most likely blood testing) will come down in November. I'd like to be happily vaping 0 mg nic a few weeks in advance of that.
HELP!
PS I have Janty Stick v2 (a few of em) and 510 (dura) stuff around. Lots of 801 and 510 atomizers, that is. Love em both at 36mg/3.7 volts. Considering a Chuck, T1 or Prodigy; I'm open to good suggestions. Gotta hit it soon.
President Obama Deemed Unqualified to Work in Palm Beach County Tax Collector's Office
Although he is the chief executive of the nation and is ultimately responsible for the collection of taxes from every individual and corporation in the country, the Palm Beach County tax collector's office has decided that President Obama is not qualified to serve as a tax collector in Palm Beach.
Why? Because President Obama has used tobacco products on a regular basis during the past 12 months, and according to a new Palm Beach County policy, he is not eligible to even apply for a job in the County's tax collection office.
Even an individual who had smoked cigarettes for 30 years and was using snus only as a means of trying to quit smoking would not be eligible for a job in the Palm Beach County tax collector's office. Moreover, it wouldn't matter if someone smoked 2 packs a day or just a couple of cigarettes a month -- neither could be hired under the policy, regardless of how well-qualified they might be for the position.
The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary
Although he is the chief executive of the nation and is ultimately responsible for the collection of taxes from every individual and corporation in the country, the Palm Beach County tax collector's office has decided that President Obama is not qualified to serve as a tax collector in Palm Beach.
Why? Because President Obama has used tobacco products on a regular basis during the past 12 months, and according to a new Palm Beach County policy, he is not eligible to even apply for a job in the County's tax collection office.
Even an individual who had smoked cigarettes for 30 years and was using snus only as a means of trying to quit smoking would not be eligible for a job in the Palm Beach County tax collector's office. Moreover, it wouldn't matter if someone smoked 2 packs a day or just a couple of cigarettes a month -- neither could be hired under the policy, regardless of how well-qualified they might be for the position.
The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary
Dont know if this has been posted yet, but- How do they test you for Nicotine in your system? Blood, Urine?
How often would they make you test?
Also, how long does Nicotine or the Metabolites stay traceable in your system?
And lastly is it even legal for them to test you for it?
How often would they make you test?
Also, how long does Nicotine or the Metabolites stay traceable in your system?
And lastly is it even legal for them to test you for it?
If you do like the tobacco flavors, DIYflavorshack, formerly ecigsmokeshop.com has tobacco flavorings that are zero nic, and you can add some PGA to get throat hit. If you dont like that, it seems adding just one menthol crystal will give throat hit without menthol taste to anything.
Time Frame
If you're only an occasional smoker (someone who smokes 10 cigarettes or less per day), it will most likely take only a few days for the nicotine to leave your body. However, for a heavy smoker (a pack a day or more), traces of nicotine can remain in the bloodstream for as long as 30 days after smoking--and that's if the person stops smoking altogether! Considerations
Although small traces of nicotine can remain in the bloodstream long after a person smokes her last cigarette, there are ways to speed up the body's clearing process. When it comes to ridding your body of toxins, water is your best friend. The more water you drink, the faster toxins such as nicotine leave your body. Since it speeds up your body's metabolism, exercise can make the process even faster. So just by drinking water and working out, you can help your body rid itself of the nicotine.
If you're only an occasional smoker (someone who smokes 10 cigarettes or less per day), it will most likely take only a few days for the nicotine to leave your body. However, for a heavy smoker (a pack a day or more), traces of nicotine can remain in the bloodstream for as long as 30 days after smoking--and that's if the person stops smoking altogether! Considerations
Although small traces of nicotine can remain in the bloodstream long after a person smokes her last cigarette, there are ways to speed up the body's clearing process. When it comes to ridding your body of toxins, water is your best friend. The more water you drink, the faster toxins such as nicotine leave your body. Since it speeds up your body's metabolism, exercise can make the process even faster. So just by drinking water and working out, you can help your body rid itself of the nicotine.
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