Vaping and Healthcare... Are we nonsmokers?
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Well that's just insane... There are many ways other than smoking to get nicotine in your system. Like patches or gum.
Here in the Neds the only insurance that asks if you're a smoker is life insurance, for example a life insurance belonging to a mortgage loan. If and when I get one, I will definitely state that I'm a non-smoker because hey, I'm not allowed to lie on those forms, right?
Thought I'd add. Been with my job for a little over 4 years, over that whole time they have never asked or done anything with tobacco use that would affect insurance.
It is open enrollment this year and they now have an affadavit that you have to sign saying whether you are a tobacco user, which they include to mean snus and hookah and any "lit tobacco product." I interpreted that as to not include nicotine so I said no. Last night I was double checking the insurance stuff and found a Q&A, which answered it for me. They stated the "key word is tobacco", so ecigs are not included.
Hopefully they stick to this in the years to come because it is 75 dollars more a month someone has to pay if they are a tobacco user.
It is open enrollment this year and they now have an affadavit that you have to sign saying whether you are a tobacco user, which they include to mean snus and hookah and any "lit tobacco product." I interpreted that as to not include nicotine so I said no. Last night I was double checking the insurance stuff and found a Q&A, which answered it for me. They stated the "key word is tobacco", so ecigs are not included.
Hopefully they stick to this in the years to come because it is 75 dollars more a month someone has to pay if they are a tobacco user.
It is really up to the insurer. Some identify tobacco user as anyone that uses nicotine. Some don't. Thing I would be cautious on if you check non-smoker and somehow it comes back you that you should have been a smokers, things can get ugly for you quick.
Whether I agree with the employers or not, I personally think it is "crime" to lump e-cig user with smokers. Until such time the insurers give a "sin tax" to everything human being ingest the are being way off base in this.
Best thing is to ask your insurer.
Some employers are identifying nicotine use as a tobacco product.
Handling of e-cigarettes by some insurers, employers a drag for users | TribLIVE
Purdue University:
Tobacco-User Additional Premium: Questions and Answers
Are electronic cigarettes included as tobacco use for the additional premium?
Yes, because they may contain tobacco, or they may contain nicotine, which is derived from tobacco. The health effects of using electronic cigarettes are currently unknown. Several studies regarding the long-term health effects of nicotine vapor, both inhaled directly and secondhand, are currently in progress. The FDA will be developing regulations on electronic cigarettes as tobacco products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
Whether I agree with the employers or not, I personally think it is "crime" to lump e-cig user with smokers. Until such time the insurers give a "sin tax" to everything human being ingest the are being way off base in this.
Best thing is to ask your insurer.
Some employers are identifying nicotine use as a tobacco product.
Handling of e-cigarettes by some insurers, employers a drag for users | TribLIVE
Purdue University:
Tobacco-User Additional Premium: Questions and Answers
Are electronic cigarettes included as tobacco use for the additional premium?
Yes, because they may contain tobacco, or they may contain nicotine, which is derived from tobacco. The health effects of using electronic cigarettes are currently unknown. Several studies regarding the long-term health effects of nicotine vapor, both inhaled directly and secondhand, are currently in progress. The FDA will be developing regulations on electronic cigarettes as tobacco products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
I have not read the whole thread so apologies if this has been said.
It depends on your insurance company. Some consider e-cigarettes to be tobacco use and others don't. I would definitely check with them before answering that question. If you say no and they do consider it tobacco use, they can deny you coverage when you need it.
Not worth the risk for me.
It depends on your insurance company. Some consider e-cigarettes to be tobacco use and others don't. I would definitely check with them before answering that question. If you say no and they do consider it tobacco use, they can deny you coverage when you need it.
Not worth the risk for me.
Well, of course you can ask. In the interest of full disclosure, if it's a form, I'd write "e-cig/NRT user" on the form near the question. But for Tobacco User I'd answer "No". I suppose using NETs could be iffy in that context. "Smoker" definitely NOT.
Depends on the insurance company. They like to lump all people who use nicotine as "smokers". It doesn't matter if you use analogs, dip/chew, use nicotine gum/patches or vape. I know some will even do a blood test and if you have nic in your blood stream they consider you a smoker. I dont agree either, its not the nic that causes the damage, its the 1000's of other chemicals.
I put no for my insurance. Worth the risk for me. First, I wonder how they would ever show that I'm vaping vs. chewing nic gum or some other sanctioned thing. Second, if they did deny me coverage then I would lawyer up right away.
Again, it is "follow the money". You will be rated in the manner that nets the highest premium for the insurer. I am not anti insurance companies but if they could get away with charging you more because you eat tomatoes that contain nicotine then they would. Anyone who says they "Love their insurance company" has obviously never filed a claim with them.
You really need to ask your insurance provider directly and honestly. If the insurance company considers nicotine use to be tobacco use, then the answer would be yes.
You could just say no now, but if the company considers nicotine to be included in their tobacco use clause, and you go in for an issue and test positive for nicotine (cotinine), the company has every right to drop coverage on the spot or demand that you pay the extra premium for as long as you have had coverage.
Again, you need to consult with the insurance provider directly and ask what their specific policies are. If you decide to go against their policy, the consequences in the future could be dire.
You could just say no now, but if the company considers nicotine to be included in their tobacco use clause, and you go in for an issue and test positive for nicotine (cotinine), the company has every right to drop coverage on the spot or demand that you pay the extra premium for as long as you have had coverage.
Again, you need to consult with the insurance provider directly and ask what their specific policies are. If you decide to go against their policy, the consequences in the future could be dire.
When I go in for my 6 months check ups, and my DR asks if I still smoke, I say no but I'm still using an e-cig .. he is fine with that, however, still cautions me that I am addicted to the nicotine and fully quiting nicotine or going to zero nic would still be the best way to go .. I believe he is right
When answering an insurance questionnaire I would firmly state no tobacco use however, I would likely make a small notation on the form regarding PV use .. nothing prevents you from doing that in an effort to provide full disclosure ..
What insurers are looking for is undisclosed information in the event a claim is activated and you are investigated
When answering an insurance questionnaire I would firmly state no tobacco use however, I would likely make a small notation on the form regarding PV use .. nothing prevents you from doing that in an effort to provide full disclosure ..
What insurers are looking for is undisclosed information in the event a claim is activated and you are investigated
Ok, with all of that being said, what if you say "no" then at a 'time of incident' you get tested but OOPS! Why, he's got nicotine patches in his jacket pocket!" What then? You could say "Yes, I quit <insert required time off tobacco here> ago, but still need patches once in awhile. Or Nicotine gum, or whatever...
Not necessarily true.
I can't say much about their product (it was my first cigalike), but Green Smart Living's web site claims that their nicotine is derived from non-tobacco sources. Wikipedia says it occurs in the nightshade family of plants.
So you could be using nicotine and not using tobacco in any sense of the word.
It's something they detect in people who are inhaling the nicotine as opposed to using a patch. There's a word for what they test for but I can't remember what it is and I haven't finished my coffee enough for the fog to have lifted from my brain to effectively research it. Hopefully I'll remember later and post back in this thread.
This topic has been discussed before by people who are experienced with it.
The long and short of it is, however, that you don't want to be caught saying you aren't a user when they word it in such a way that you can be construed as a user. The penalties aren't worth it.
The patch / gum delivers about half of what a cig does, nic wise .. and the best test is the Carbon Monoxide test
EvilZoe, the word is cotinine. My wife got tested for it 2 days ago and is a non smoker. They will test her again in 6 months and when she passes that test, her insurance will drop $600.
I wonder when they will stop categorizing nicotine as a harmful substance or when will we force them to stop this practice? It's the same classification as caffeine and may have beneficial effects on certain diseases.
Any excuse to get their hands in our pockets...
I wonder when they will stop categorizing nicotine as a harmful substance or when will we force them to stop this practice? It's the same classification as caffeine and may have beneficial effects on certain diseases.
Any excuse to get their hands in our pockets...
Thanks. My brain isn't working properly lately.EvilZoe, the word is cotinine. My wife got tested for it 2 days ago and is a non smoker. They will test her again in 6 months and when she passes that test, her insurance will drop $600.
I wonder when they will stop categorizing nicotine as a harmful substance or when will we force them to stop this practice? It's the same classification as caffeine and may have beneficial effects on certain diseases.
Any excuse to get their hands in our pockets...
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