State of Texas ERS Insurance

[burns_erin]

mods: I wasn't sure where to put this, so if it needs to be moved...

Anyways, for state employees in Texas, this year insurance is requiring tobacco certification and a $30.00 premium per smoker per month. HOWEVER, they specifically state that e-cigarettes are not included in this. The wording is kind of funny as is states: "

A tobacco product is defined as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, or any other product that contains tobacco. It does not include an electronic cigarette or e-cigarette that does not contain tobacco and is designed expressly for smoking cessation."​

Employees Retirement System of Texas

Not perfect for sure, but much better than ones where they are specifically included. And since they are specifically using the term tobacco and not nicotine....

 

[Traver]

It does not include an electronic cigarette or e-cigarette that does not contain tobacco and is designed expressly for smoking cessation.

Since it is illegal to sell an electronic cig as a smoking cession device I'm a bit confused the this.

 

[yo vapo]

It is a little cloudy, but at least a step in the right direction.

Aside: Armpit of Texas? Hmm... there are so many.

 

[Beans]

I just found a life insurance company with the same policy's. When Hubby and I were applying a while back I had my REO out and he even new what that was.

 

[mooreted]

Huh, have landed in an alternate universe?

That's awesome. May people are actually waking up.

 

[Iffy]

Bravo!

 

[Endosidney]

Wow! What ins. co?

 

[Beans]

American Income Life a big company.

 

[burns_erin]

It is a little cloudy, but at least a step in the right direction.

Aside: Armpit of Texas? Hmm... there are so many.

Well, I am in Beaumont, located in the golden triangle, we are right on the gulf, so lots of humidity and surrounded by chemical plants, so smelly. Living in a hot, humid, smelly area, the only other way to refer to it is the crotch of Texas, and for some reason that makes people look at you funny

 

[burns_erin]

Wow! What ins. co?

I have BCBS, but this policy is for everyone who works for the state in the ERS system, regardless of which insurance carrier their area uses, AFAIK.

 

[burns_erin]

Since it is illegal to sell an electronic cig as a smoking cession device I'm a bit confused the this.

Weird, I know right. But I figure, since I am using it expressly for smoking cessation, hehe, And since they don't specifically prohibit nicotine in any forms besides actual tobacco, then I am in the good.

 

[Running Wolf]

Way cool. I know the company I used to work for stated "tobacco free" as a way to get a few bucks back a week in health insurance premiums.... Nothing was said about e-cigs (think that was due to ignorance of VPs).

Also though read a little bit on WTA (Whole Tobacco Alkaloids), how some juice have them. Wonder if that applied to tobacco free or not?

 

[burns_erin]

Way cool. I know the company I used to work for stated "tobacco free" as a way to get a few bucks back a week in health insurance premiums.... Nothing was said about e-cigs (think that was due to ignorance of VPs).

Also though read a little bit on WTA (Whole Tobacco Alkaloids), how some juice have them. Wonder if that applied to tobacco free or not?

Well, as mine is worded to describe the hardware and not the juice our nicotine, how would they even know. Doubt they are even aware of wta.

Sent from my G2...so please excuse the spelling errors, correct gets the best of me.

 

[dankie]

Well, I am in Beaumont, located in the golden triangle, we are right on the gulf, so lots of humidity and surrounded by chemical plants, so smelly. Living in a hot, humid, smelly area, the only other way to refer to it is the crotch of Texas, and for some reason that makes people look at you funny

Having mountain biked in Houston I can confirm either title and probably the latter as true and correct!

 

[stephen1979]

Weird, I know right. But I figure, since I am using it expressly for smoking cessation, hehe, And since they don't specifically prohibit nicotine in any forms besides actual tobacco, then I am in the good.

From someone who works at an insurance company, I have a feeling that this will get changed to nicotine at some point. Any way to get a few extra bucks on premiums. For my employer, you have to be smoke free for two years straight to escape the tobacco penalty. And no using patches or gum either, the timer starts when you stop those. They'll be more than happy to give us those pills, though. We have our own little health clinic on site to give them to us. That's why I don't just lie about it during open enrollment, considering the amount of spying done to prospective clients. I'm sure they have ways to keep tabs on the employees, too.

 

[burns_erin]

From someone who works at an insurance company, I have a feeling that this will get changed to nicotine at some point. Any way to get a few extra bucks on premiums. For my employer, you have to be smoke free for two years straight to escape the tobacco penalty. And no using patches or gum either, the timer starts when you stop those. They'll be more than happy to give us those pills, though. We have our own little health clinic on site to give them to us. That's why I don't just lie about it during open enrollment, considering the amount of spying done to prospective clients. I'm sure they have ways to keep tabs on the employees, too.

It might, but they couldn't do it for a year. By that time I may be zero nic anyway. And remember, it isn't the insurance deciding this, it is the state, which adds a whole 'nother element of madness to it. And considering it is texas...

Well come on, you have to admit we are weird.

Sent from my G2...so please excuse the spelling errors, correct gets the best of me.