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dmiller9274
member
Smoking and Insurance
Yesterday we had a benefit fair to kick off open enrollment for the year. Our company has decided that they are going to cover 30% less on the employer contribution for smokers. Smokers are considered to have "risky behaviors" so we have to pay more. It doesn't matter if you quit before the new benefit year, if you've smoked in the last two years you have to pay the additional cost. All employees have to sign an affidavit that they've been smoke free for 2 years, and pay the additional cost until it has been 2 years. Obviously if they determine you've lied and are in fact smoking you have to pay back anything that was covered.
What do you think of this policy?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Smoking and Insurance
Everything the light touches is my kingdom.
I don't like the two years rule. I mean a smoker's health DRAMATICALLY improves within the first two weeks after quitting.
As for having to quit for 2 years, I also support that. The chemicals effect you much longer than that.
Just call me "Brothel"
And betrothed, I'm disgusted with most of the comments that you have posted. I don't think I've ever read such judgmental comments in my life. I'm so lucky that the girls I speak to on theknot are nothing like you...I would've never come on here for ADVICE if I would've encountered a big a bitch as you. I genuinely feel awful for your children or your future children, and I think it would be irresponsible of YOU not to invest in their future therapy sessions starting now. Because trust me when I tell you honey, they're gonna need it. ~jcaruncho2010
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Personally, I think it's fantastic. I'd rather the smokers pay more for their premiums than we all pay more for their premiums. I hate the idea of subsidizing someone else's bad habit.
Sorry, I'm all for this. But NOT when it's just SMOKERS that get the shaft. Spread it out across the board eh?
*good point
Everything the light touches is my kingdom.
BUT - like Blue said, obese people and heavy drinkers should get the same treatment. If your company is not doing it for these people then they should not be doing it for smokers either.
RAWR!
[QUOTE]I wonder how they'd find out if you were a smoker.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]
Yeah because unless you're taking smoke breaks all day - how could they know?
My mom smokes. She smokes maybe 3 a day - not many - but no one knows she smokes. Everyone's always surprised when they find out.
She could totally lie.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Smoking and Insurance : Jinx. And holy crap! That seems high. I pay $200 a month. Do I just have really good insurance?
Posted by jcbsjr[/QUOTE]
I don't get insurance through work but we are required to have insurance im my state.
I have to pay out of pocket.
DX: PCOS/Recurrent losses/MTHFR mutation (compound hetero)
5 hysteroscopies/2 surgical
3 Inject IUIs = 2 m/c's and 1 BFN
IVF #1= BFP. m/c at 7w6d. Needed 2 D&C's and scar tissue removal. Mild OHSS
IVF #2 = BFP. Severe OHSS. 4 Drainings. TWINS!
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Smoking and Insurance : I don't get insurance through work but we are required to have insurance im my state. I have to pay out of pocket.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]
The Massachussetts health care plan? ...Or something to that effect, correct?
Our company does something similar, but instead of raising premiums for smokers, non-smokers get a certain amount taken off their deductible. So, still an incentive to quit. I think it's around $500 off the deductible if you're a non-smoker.
[QUOTE]I wonder how they'd find out if you were a smoker.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]
The smell, your teeth, the percent of oxygen in your blood.
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[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Smoking and Insurance : The smell, your teeth, the percent of oxygen in your blood.
Posted by LedZeppelin[/QUOTE]
But none of that is foolproof.
Everything the light touches is my kingdom.
Frankly, I don't care if it isn't "fair" that smokers are penalized while people who are deemed high risks in other ways aren't. It isn't fair for nonsmokers to share in the higher premiums assessed on group policies when there are smokers in the group, either. IMO, if you're adult enough to light up, you're adult enough to deal with the consequences (financial and medical).
I detest smoking and this seems a little unfair to me. If one bad habit./addiction is going to be punished, they all should.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Smoking and Insurance : But none of that is foolproof.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]
Maybe, but I have yet to meet a person by whom I'm surprised to find out they are a smoker.
[QUOTE]I know, it's junk. The smokers can avoid an increase by dropping to a lower plan that has a $6000 deductible...that plan costs the same for a smoker as our current Cadillac package. In 6 months I can drop the damn insurance, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much, <strong>I just hate how smokers are always getting the shaft.</strong>
Posted by dmiller9274[/QUOTE]
Then don't smoke?
They get to go outside and socialize with the other smokers and I'm stuck inside here working (err, knotting) while they enjoy themselves.
Boo.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Smoking and Insurance : Maybe, but I have yet to meet a person by whom I'm surprised to find out they are a smoker.
Posted by LedZeppelin[/QUOTE]
I have. Have I even been surprised to find out that someone smokes a pack a day? Well, no. But one or two a day, or socially? Yeah, I have been surprised.
Everything the light touches is my kingdom.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Smoking and Insurance : <strong> I would think it's obvious that no one is going to punish someone for being overweight when the cause is genetic/medical.</strong> And if you're adult enough to chose to eat a big mac or pizza everyday, then you're adult enough to deal with the financial and medical consequences, no?
Posted by LessThanZero[/QUOTE]
But if you tried to differentiate in order to charge them the "right" premium, you'd be requiring people to provide you with confidential medical information.
Everything the light touches is my kingdom.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Smoking and Insurance : So, they're going to randomly nicotine test people? Or do it before they pay for services? <strong>How long does nicotine STAY in your blood?</strong> I'm not trying to be a brat to you, Les, I promise, I'm just saying I don't really feel like there's a really good way for them to prove anyone has smoked in the last 2 years if someone wanted to lie about it, you know?
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]
<pre>According to "The Facts About Smoking."
University of Rochester.
<a href="http://www.rochester.edu/uhs/healthpromotion/Tobacco/smokefacts.html">http://www.rochester.edu/uhs/healthpromotion/Tobacco/smokefacts.html</a>
"Several different factors can affect the rate of metabolism and
excretion of nicotine. Measurements of nicotine or its by-products
will vary depending on the fluid being measured (blood, urine,
or saliva). <strong>In general, a regular smoker will have nicotine or cotinine
present in the body for about three to four days."</strong>
Not trying to be a butt, just trying to help with my googling skills.
</pre>