UPS to charge $150/month tobacco surcharge to supervisors who use ecigs in 2014

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Stinky Uncle Ed

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Yep, among other crappy changes we just found out to our insurance, starting in 2014, as supervisors employed at UPS, we will have to pay $150 a month pre-tax if we or a spouse who is also enrolled in United Healthcare through UPS uses: tobacco products such as: cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing or dipping tobacco, snuff, tobacco packets, hoohak tobacco, and liquid nicotine for electronic cigarettes ("e-cigarettes). We just found out and have until July 1st 2013 (two days) to quit to avoid the charge starting Jan 1st 2014, or take the "Quit for Life" program any time after that and stop all "tobacco product" use. I have used my e-cig for about two years now, have converted over a dozen supervisors into vapors, and now we are going to be punished for our "poor lifestyle choices, including tobacco use". We have to notify our health care provider of our tobacco use status, and if we define ourselves as non-tobacco users and are caught/reported using it, we can be found "subject to discipline, up to and including termination of coverage under the plan (health insurance) or termination of employment with UPS where permitted by law." Yep, those damn e-cigs are "harmful to health and contribute to the rising costs of health care.":facepalm:
 

Petrodus

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E-cigarettes fall under FDA regulations as a Tobacco product
and ObamaCare states insurance companies can add
a 50% surcharge to tobacco users ... and of course the test
for tobacco is nicotine.

What profit minded insurance company wouldn't take advantage
or our government freely giving our money to their business ??

See page 2 of this document: Click Here
 

Vocalek

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When I quit nicotine altogether, I become so inattentive that I am nearly as much a menace behind the wheel as a drunk. Wonder how that would affect my performance if I were a driver for UPS.

Personally, I think that those who experience cognitive impairments without nicotine have a disability and a company that refuses to allow them to use low-risk smoking alternatives is violating the ADA. It's a very reasonable accommodation.
 

ClippinWings

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E-cigarettes fall under FDA regulations as a Tobacco product
and ObamaCare states insurance companies can add
a 50% surcharge to tobacco users ... and of course the test
for tobacco is nicotine.

What profit minded insurance company wouldn't take advantage
or our government freely giving our money to their business ??

See page 2 of this document: Click Here

No they don't...

eCigs exist in a strange limbo:

They could be considered Drug Delivery Devices(like Syringes)... but they are not, which is why the FDA import bans failed.

They could be considered Tobacco Products(like Snus)... but they are not, which is why the FDA is not regulating them... yet.
 
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Bill Godshall

Executive Director<br/> Smokefree Pennsylvania
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Has UPS made, or are they planning to make, similar policy changes for its unionized workforce?

Most labor unions would reject this type of policy change during collective bargaining negotiations.

If the new policy doesn't apply to unionized UPS workers, you might want to consider joining the union and changing jobs at UPS.
 

ClippinWings

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E-cigarettes fall under FDA regulations as a Tobacco product
and ObamaCare states insurance companies can add
a 50% surcharge to tobacco users ... and of course the test
for tobacco is nicotine.

What profit minded insurance company wouldn't take advantage
or our government freely giving our money to their business ??

See page 2 of this document: Click Here

Also... the document you linked to... on the exact page you referenced says:

In a proposed rule released November 26, 2012, HHS
proposed that insurance companies varying premiums
based on tobacco use must offer tobacco users the
non-user rate
if they participate in a wellness program
and try to quit.

What happened with that rule?

That is very important...
 

Bill Godshall

Executive Director<br/> Smokefree Pennsylvania
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Petrodus wrote

E-cigarettes fall under FDA regulations as a Tobacco product
and ObamaCare states insurance companies can add
a 50% surcharge to tobacco users ... and of course the test
for tobacco is nicotine.

I disagree with the preceding statement.

Just because Judge Leon ruled that FDA couldn't regulate e-cigarettes as drug devices (unless a therapeutic claim is made) does NOT mean that states have/can/will allow new Obamacare healthcare insurance exchanges to charge e-cigarette users up to 50% higher insurance rates.

Please note that Obamacare was enacted by Congress in 2009 at the same time FDA was telling federal judges that e-cigarettes were NOT tobacco products.

It could be helpful to find the definition of "tobacco product" that was used in Obamacare's provision allowing states to allow health insurance exchanges to charge up to 50% higher premiums for "tobacco users".

Its also important to find out the definition of "tobacco product" in the recently (and soon to be) enacted state laws establishing health insurance exchanges (as I'm not aware that any included e-cigarettes in their definition of "tobacco product").


Also, please note that health insurance policies provided by employers are distinctly different than those to be provided via health insurance exchanges that are being created in some states (i.e. states that opt to be included in Obamacare).

All states have laws that regulate health insurance policies for employer based policies and for individual based policies, and those laws also need to be taken into account.
 

mssam

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Has UPS made, or are they planning to make, similar policy changes for its unionized workforce?

Most labor unions would reject this type of policy change during collective bargaining negotiations.

If the new policy doesn't apply to unionized UPS workers, you might want to consider joining the union and changing jobs at UPS.

Does that fall under collective bargaining between the carrier and union or the carrier and insurance company? I agree a labor union should reject that type of policy change upon renewal of a new contract simply because it increases premiums for its membership, but I'm wondering is it the insurance company dictating, instead of UPS. If that's the case, that's going to be a little tricky to maneuver around...
 

Nermal

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Jun 8, 2013
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Has UPS made, or are they planning to make, similar policy changes for its unionized workforce?

I don't have a direct answer to this, but it is suggestive that Michelin Tire has come up with a similar plan for smokers that applies to everyone, not just supervisors. At that time, I didn't know if it applied to ecigs or not.
 

mssam

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you know, this is the part that has me scratching my head:

We have to notify our health care provider of our tobacco use status, and if we define ourselves as non-tobacco users and are caught/reported using it, we can be found "subject to discipline, up to and including termination of coverage under the plan (health insurance) or termination of employment with UPS where permitted by law."

How did they tie what a health care provider wants in with a discipline policy at UPS? It's too bad Stinky Uncle Ed couldn't switch providers and avoid the "die or quit" mentality. However, it would appear UPS has implemented a non-smoking policy and they consider vaping the same as tobacco cigarettes. Get caught vaping and it's the same as getting caught smoking a tobacco cigarette. It doesn't surprise me that Michelin has come up with a similar policy. This is something that will probably expand to all large companies, like Ford or GM. I've tried to talk with some union leadership in different locations, but they just don't understand (or seem disinterested at this current moment). They can't see what's coming on the horizon I guess. Something like this is going to be a hard one to fight...
 

Bill Godshall

Executive Director<br/> Smokefree Pennsylvania
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Some large and/or well financed employers self insure (to save money).

Employers that contract with healthcare insurers can negotiate some things (but each state has different laws), and differential premium rates for smokers would be one of those things (if insurers offer that service).

But without any more details of the situation described at the beginning of this thread, I cannot provide additional advice or assistance.
 

Bill Godshall

Executive Director<br/> Smokefree Pennsylvania
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Apr 2, 2009
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I received the following news brief

Shipping company UPS will begin charging management and administrative employees who use tobacco products a monthly health insurance surcharge of $150 starting January 2014. (WLKY Louisville 07/03)

But I cannot find the news article/broadcast at Louisville News, Louisville, Kentucky News, Weather, and Sports - WLKY Louisvilles Channel 32

The radio station, however, has a survey on its home page asking if people think employers should charge tobacco users more money.

If anyone finds the article/broadcast, please post the weblink.

The news brief indicates that the UPS policy will only apply to non unionized employees.
 
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