Insurance renewal time and I get to be a non-smoker!

[StotheK]

We do our health insurance through my wife's work. She just sent me the non-smoker affidavit where I have to swear I haven't smoked in 6 months. It specifically lists what is considered tobacco product and e-cigarettes are nowhere to be found!

Kind of random, I know, but I was sort of excited so I figured I'd share.

 

[Robotfactory]

very cool! we do our health insurance through my wife's work as well, however, they have never asked anything about smoking, so i have not had to worry about it yet.

 

[erich]

To be on the safe side, you might look in to what their policy is around other nicotine substitutes... gum, patches, etc. If those aren't included, you're probably fine. If it's a little grey, call them, and ask for responses *in writing*. Something someone tells you on the phone -- in any matter, not just insurance -- is worth exactly zero in court. Better to split hairs with them now than when you have a claim, though. They have a reasonable claim that fraud has been committed if something is omitted.

 

[StotheK]

To be on the safe side, you might look in to what their policy is around other nicotine substitutes... gum, patches, etc. If those aren't included, you're probably fine. If it's a little grey, call them, and ask for responses *in writing*. Something someone tells you on the phone -- in any matter, not just insurance -- is worth exactly zero in court. Better to split hairs with them now than when you have a claim, though. They have a reasonable claim that fraud has been committed if something is omitted.

Good advice, in this case it is explicitly spelled out as to what constitutes smoking on the affidavit itself "Tobacco products under the plan are defined as Cigarettes, Cigars, Pipes, Chewing Tobacco and Snuff" so either the company is with or behind the times, not sure which

 

[tlynn]

I work for the state of Texas. Starting Jan 1, 2011 I have to start paying an extra $30 a month for using tobacco products. This includes snuff, dip, cigs BUT not e-cigs. The notice actually states it is okay to use e-cigs.

 

[erich]

Yeah, in general I believe any nicotine replacement product is seen as ok, as their use isn't directly a health hazard. However, due to their relatively low success rate, I've heard some providers make specific claims about nicotine. I can see their point, since more often than not, someone currently on the patch will be a smoker again. Since policy renewal is generally pretty infrequent (years in between), it's a sad but reasonable expectation that someone chewing the gum is likely to be a smoker once more in 6 months. We need better data on PVs!!

If nicotine is not stated explicitly, though, and instead tobacco products are, I would assume you're ok.

List Of Foods That Contain Nicotine | LIVESTRONG.COM

I don't smoke, I just eat a @#$%load of eggplant!

 

[sln88]

Its insurance time for us, and I am wondering if its safe to say no this time

Use of tobacco products includes the smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes. In addition, the use of any form of
smokeless tobacco, such as snuff and chewing tobacco, is included in the definition.

what bugs me is that the only one that has smoked consistently is the hub. I occasionally start up when I am under alot of stress(but no more thanks to ecigs). Even tho its only been him, the rates go up for all of us. And neither of us has ever smoked in front of family members or in the house so no 2nd hand smoke.

for example, the rate for employee only goes up if you smoke- $40/mon. Still only employee smoking and the rates for family coverage go up $142 per month!

and our insurance is crap.... I miss the days of paying $30 a month for an HMO and everything was covered!

 

[StotheK]

Yeah same thing here. After all that, turns out we still have to pay the higher rate because my wife still smokes. I'm wearing her down though, I promised to be her personal carto filling monkey.

 

[Allan.GH]

I work for the state of Texas. Starting Jan 1, 2011 I have to start paying an extra $30 a month for using tobacco products. This includes snuff, dip, cigs BUT not e-cigs. The notice actually states it is okay to use e-cigs.

Now *there's* an organization that's ahead of the curve.

We're checking the "No" box this time-around.

 

[cherewine]

I only WISH I could have heath insurance that was $142 a month Try having a job that doesn't even offer it and your left to your own to get insurance. Then try to get it if you are/were a smoker......and over 50

 

[firefuna]

Interesting. Tomorrow is the last day for open enrollment for my health insurance...EVERY insured employee had to turn in a notarized affidavit stating "...no tobacco products..." are used by the employee or covered family members. Each employee that admits to tobacco use pays an extra $25 per check or $600 per year. Our union rep got a clarification from HR, and told me I can indicate that I DON'T use tobacco products but I have to note on the affidavit that I use eCigs.

I'm afraid they will determine later that ejuice is a tobacco product because the nic is derived from tobacco. I'm also afraid they will change the affidavit next year to read "...any nicotine product..." though that would include Nicorette.

 

[TheAlternative]

This is a grey area indeed... until corrected I would classify e-cigs in the same boat as nicotine gum, patches, ect.

 

[Scarab30]

We are going through this as well. My opinion is...when they ask if I am a tobacco user I will honestly answer NO. We all already know, vaping is NOT using tobacco! If they want to re-word it as nicotine user...well, I guess I'm guilty. They ought to praise us for ditching the analogs. Maybe they should up the premium for the fatties for eating cheeseburgers, or the alcoholics for drinking.

 

[Devlin]

I also completed my open enrollment this week and had the pleasure of checking Non-User. It will save me an extra $10 per week in Surcharges. In the last 3 years, they have instituted the surcharge and raised it. I'm glad to say that I now have more to spend on mods and juice!

 

[stephen1979]

At my work, it is specifically stated that any use of any nicotine substitute counts as being a smoker. So I guess I am going to have to work down to 0 nic juice for two years, before I can get that $25/month charge to go away. However, we still can smoke a cigar once a month and still be considered a non-smoker.