Insurance company testing for nicotine... Should wife be concerned?

[stomper38]

Wasn't sure if I should put this in one of the subs or not, so here it is... My wife works for Highmark, which is a health insurance provider (don't know if it's national)... Anyways, the company gives them an extra $100 a month for being "tobacco free"... They have decided to start testing for this, as I'm sure 75% of the people claiming the benefit are lying... Being the asshats that they are (much like the government), their testing, however, tests for nicotine in the bloodstream, not tobacco use... Regardless of the obvious fact that it's complete crap to say nicotine and tobacco are the same thing, she is concerned that she, as a non-smoker (never smoked in her life), may be penalized $1200 a year due to me being a vaper and her being around me all the time... Is there a chance that she would test positive for nicotine use due to being in the house and car with me whilst I puff away all day? Appreciate the info and opinions... Thanks! =O)

 

[pt91]

Can't imagine that she is at risk for having any nic in her system because of you vaping.

 

[stomper38]

Can't imagine that she is at risk for having any nic in her system because of you vaping.

I told her I thought it was a major longshot, but figured I'd ask here to calm her down... Never know... Thanks for your opinion!

 

[Majestic]

If you or your wife is still concerned then I would consider vaping in another room while indoors and crack your window and turn up the blower when riding in the car.

 

[redddog]

No way. She wouldn't have a positive result if you were smoking cigarettes. There is such a negligable amount of nic in second hand vapor, nic barely even shows up.

 

[MD_Boater]

Tell her to switch to 0 nix for 6 or 7 days. If she wants a nic fix once a day, let her vape for about 20 minutes, but immediately drink 2 large glasses of grapefruit juice immediately afterwards. I posted a link somewhere to a medical paper that showed grapefruit juice prevented the metabolism of nicotine to cotinine, which if what they really test for. I did exactly aI said above for 10 days, and came back 0 for it.

Edit: I badly misread the OP. Sorry....

 

[redddog]

MD_B, she doesn't vape. She's concerned that she would get a positive in her bloodstream from HIS second hand vapor.

There is no chance.

 

[YKruss]

Check this site - E-Cigarette Studies & Research | Cig Buyer.com
And look in "Studies of Second-Hand Vapor".

Conclusion - Your wife's nicotine test would be negative.

 

[dherrington]

My wife was in the same boat. They tested for nicotine in the bloodstream as part of her health insurance coverage. She did indeed test positive because of my vaping. I can happen. Luckily she is on my insurance now anyway.

 

[telsie]

My wife was in the same boat. They tested for nicotine in the bloodstream as part of her health insurance coverage. She did indeed test positive because of my vaping. I can happen. Luckily she is on my insurance now anyway.

Unless you keep your wife locked in a tiny room with no ventilation and a high nic cloud machine blowing vapor 24/7, I would've demanded a retest!

 

[dherrington]

I didn't see the test myself. I am only going by what she told me. We have a huge bedroom and though I vape in there a lot, I hardly blow huge clouds of smoke. In fact, like her, I spend most of the time either sleeping or watching tv. I was surprised to hear that nicotine still showed up. They must have an extremely sensitive test because I thought the nicotine coming from vaping was minimal.

 

[KjAthena]

any nicotine can show up in a test...however the level is what matters. ...many foods contain nicotine....being in a room with smokers 8 hours a day(like bar tending in a smoking bar) can raise levels as well anything below .2 is considered NON smoking levels. Any secondhand vape would also fall below this level.

I passed the test vapeing 6MG (6ML a day) e-juice with no problems was still below .2 on the test. YMMV

 

[Dayglow]

Second hand vape is not a particularly big concern unless you're blowing vapor into her face. If she knows when they will be doing the testing and is still concerned maybe you could vape 0mg for a couple days prior as the half life for such a low amount, if any, in her blood stream would be broken down.

 

[GeorgeWachsmuth]

As an addictions counselor....second hand smoking or vaping would not show up on the tests they are willing to shell out for and for the level they are testing at. Unless you are directly blowing your exhale directly into her lungs....all day....and even then it's doubtful.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Insurance companies are charging more for smokers and second-hand persons.

 

[GeorgeWachsmuth]

Insurance companies are charging more for smokers and second-hand persons.

Yeah....they would....