endstream endobj 98 0 obj <. Not to be cheeky, but youll pay through the nose. 0000002188 00000 n Although lawmakers who wrote the ACA felt strongly that a person's health status should not be taken into consideration when setting health insurance premiums, they agreed to allow insurers to charge tobacco users higher premiums. SET. By 2017, the prevalence of tobacco surcharges among small employers' health plans had grown to nearly 18%. Family size: Each person has their own premiums. %PDF-1.4 % Non-Tobacco User Discount (IB05) - Apply for the Non-Tobacco User Discount Tobacco Cessation (IB06) - Apply for Annual . Employers who financially penalize tobacco users miss an opportunity to help them, which is why the ACA reasonable alternative and reasonable design requirements are so crucial in a successful tobacco cessation program. But others, including the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association, point out that higher health insurance premiums essentially just make health coverage less accessible to people who use tobacco. Plan members who are tobacco users can avoid . } If we look at the nationwide average pre-subsidy premium in 2020, it's about $576 per month for health plans sold in the exchange. Non-Discrimination Statement and Foreign Language AccessCopyright {{ new Date().getFullYear() }} All Samara Lorenz, Director, Oversight Group. HealthCare.gov. By Louise Norris Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care: Whats the Difference? rights reserved.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross The indigent care surcharge is a levy based on a state-determined percentage rate of payments for . Check out the changes and updates to our plan in 2023. For example, requiring attendance nightly at a one-hour class would be unreasonable. . Tobacco Cessation Coaching Want to Quit Smoking? Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Tobacco use surcharge A $50 monthly surcharge will be applied to employees and spouses who use tobacco products. Otherwise, contact your Blue Cross and Blue Shield company for assistance. Page topic: "READY. Also, an individual must be given the opportunity to comply with the recommendations of the individuals personal physician as a second reasonable alternative standard to meeting the reasonable alternative standard defined by the plan, but only if the physician joins in the request. Studies show that people who tried to quit with inhalers were 67% less likely to be successful compared to other cessation methods commonly covered by insurance plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield members, pleasecontact your BCBS companyif you have specific questions about your plan, coverage and more. Non-Discrimination Statement and Foreign Language Access. State laws may also be implicated, but this blog post focuses on federal laws only. Some regular smokers facing a steep premium increase may be tempted to avoid telling the truth. Some call this difference in health insurance premium amounts a premium differential or a tobacco use surcharge.. The plan must disclose in all plan materials the terms of a tobacco cessation program and the availability of a reasonable alternative standard to qualify for the lower premium (and, if applicable, the possibility of a waiver). In a participatory wellness program, a participant earns incentives merely by participating in the program. Did you purchase an annual individual or family plan directly from us or through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM)? Blue Shield Association. What is a tobacco surcharge? Sonia Barkat is the founder of Umbrella Pact and a contributing consultant to The Impact. Some states have taken action to prohibit or modify the tobacco surcharge, reducing its impact within those states. The Blue Cross Blue Shield System is made up of 34 independent and locally operated companies. Note that we cannot remove it retroactively. As for when the lower premium to those who meet the reasonable alternative standard must be available, the plan must provide the lower premium even for the months during which the individual did not meet the reasonable alternative standard. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT, Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT For Blue Plus members: Call 1-844-421-5661. } Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Select Blue Cross Blue Shield Globalor GeoBlue if you have international coverage and need to find care outside the United States. These members will be responsible for paying a tobacco surcharge equal to 20 percent of their total monthly premium beginning Jan. 1, 2020. . Tobacco users will pay a surcharge for their health plan coverage beginning July 1, 2022. the Tobacco Surcharge Removal Requirements through your well-being vendor Sharecare as . } else { The Federal Drug Administration labeled inhalers as tobacco products in 2016, and, therefore, so do most health insurers. 0000006154 00000 n The blog post likened the health insurance surcharge for unvaccinated employees to those for tobacco users. return 'health'; Preventive care benefits for all adults. Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Moreover, the time commitment required for the reasonable alternative standard must be reasonable. Not to mention, youll very likely lose your insurance or at least be charged all the back money you owe as a smoker. These legal requirements include ACA, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other civil rights laws considerations. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. Washington Post. The surcharge ($80 per month) applies if the member or any of the . But ACA allows individual and small group health insurers to adjust premiums based on just four factorsgeographic location, age, family size, and tobacco use. and UnitedHealthcare Active Employee Tobacco Surcharge Policy, and UnitedHealthcare Active Employee Non-Tobacco Surcharge Policy, Permanente Active Employee Tobacco Cessation Policy, Permanente Active Employee Non-Tobacco Cessation Policy, and UnitedHealthcare Retiree Tobacco Surcharge Policy, and UnitedHealthcare Retiree Non-Tobacco Surcharge Policy, Permanente Retiree Tobacco Cessation Policy, Permanente Retiree Non-Tobacco Cessation Policy, Summary Plan Description and Evidence of Coverage. Discover all the ways members can earn wellness incentives and rewards for taking an active role in their health. Outside the United States. Federal Register. Currently, seven states plus the nations capital prohibit insurers from charging smokers extra: Three other states allow a surcharge of less than 50% : In the other 40 states, smokers can be charged 50% more for monthly premiums compared to non-smokers. CITY OF SAN ANTONIO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS GUIDE - INSIDE: HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS, HEALTH PLANS & HELPFUL TOOLS - The City of San Antonio". Non-Discrimination Statement and Foreign Language AccessCopyright {{ new Date().getFullYear() }} All rights reserved.BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. There are issues these companies should examine before doing so. DHEC offers a free program called the SouthCarolinaTobaccoQuitline. If your client has NOT been using tobacco, his or her physician can fill out the Tobacco Appeal Form and email it to [email protected] or fax it to 803-870-9439 by Jan. 1. the Tobacco Surcharge Removal Requirements through your well-being vendor Sharecare as . 0 Although health insurance companies are allowed to charge smokers up to 50% more for premiums in most states, some smoker-friendly carriers do not. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an . You will be going to a new website, operated on behalf of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan by a third party. The ACA divides wellness program activities into 2 groups: participatory and health-contingent. trailer Tracking your activities is an important part of learning how to become tobacco-free. Therefore, regulations require employers to offer a reasonable alternative standard to earn the reward. Louise Norris has been a licensed health insurance agent since 2003 after graduating magna cum laude from Colorado State with a BS in psychology. return 'health'; 0000013746 00000 n Member Discounts Take advantage of member-only discounts on health-related products and services. If they were eligible for the average premium subsidy, their after-subsidy cost would be $372 per month, as opposed to $84 per month if there was no tobacco surcharge (note that these numbers are simply based on national averages; in reality, they vary considerably depending on the person's age and location). The 1996 New York Health Care Reform Act (NYHCRA) provided for two levies: A surcharge on defined claims for indigent care and health care initiatives; An assessment fee for Graduate Medical Education (GME), based on New York state residency. Read our, Community Rating vs. krisanapong detraphiphat / Moment / Getty Image. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) offers a free program called the. 0000002154 00000 n Taxpayers are on the hook for $178 billion in federal funds allocated to hospitals and health care providers. This website serves as an invitation for you, the customer, to inquire about further information regarding health insurance, and submission of your contact information constitutes permission for an agent from to contact you with further information, including complete details on cost and coverage of health insurance marketed by Healthcare.com Insurance Services, LLC or HealthCare, Inc. subsidiary Pivot Health Holdings, LLC. Blue Connect: EPO. function isChecked(){ Use our frequently asked questions to find answers. Have you decided to kick your smoking or tobacco habit? You may submit your information through this form, or call 855-617-1871 to speak directly with licensed enrollers who will provide advice specific to your situation. Language: english. You can also find your local BCBS company on BCBS.com. 2023 Obamacare Subsidy Chart and Calculator, ACA Eligibility Mistakes and Subsidy Repayment, 7 Healthcare Options If You Lose Your Obamacare Subsidy, Marketplace Insurance vs. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. UNITEDHEALTHCARE MEMBERS . Your member ID card is your key to using your medical plan benefits. Through the Tobacco Cessation Incentive Program, eligible members can get support and prescription drugs and/or over-the-counter tobacco (OTC) cessation products at no cost. Setting up a tobacco surcharge may seem straight forward but for it to be effective, you need to be strategic. In those programs, incentives are tied to achieving a health status goal, such as not using tobacco or having a certain weight or blood pressure (outcomes-based). They are therefore addicted and need help. Because inhaler products lack tobacco, e-cigarette users may wonder whether they must identify themselves as smokers when signing up for health insurance. According to the federal Department of Health and Human Services, insurance companies consider folks tobacco users if they use tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco on average four or more times a week during the past six months. 2023 Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ACA Tax Question: Who Can You Claim as a Dependent? This can help you determine the activities that trigger your cravings. If the reasonable alternative standard is a digital tobacco cessation program, the plan must make the program available, and may not require the individual to pay for the cost of the program. He also reports regularly for National Public Radios Robin Hood Radio and Parade magazine to help people make better health care decisions and save money, too. We adhere to strict editorial standards to provide the most accurate and unbiased information. If you're paying a tobacco surcharge and you've kicked the habit at least six months ago, you can update your information when your health plan renews for the coming year (either through the exchange, directly through your health insurer, or through your employer, depending on how you get your health coverage). rights reserved.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross xref According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 9% of employers that offer health coverage impose a surcharge for tobacco use (this is across employers of all sizes). They contend that many smokers begin the habit before they are 18. Instead, the insurance companies generally charge tobacco users 10-20 percent higher rates. 0000006890 00000 n 0000004717 00000 n Under the deal, the tobacco industry agreed to pay the state and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota more than $6.5 billion, among other provisions. Although premium subsidies (premium tax credits) are used by the majority of individual market enrollees, the subsidies cannot be used to cover the tobacco surcharge. Do you have a Business BlueEssentials plan through a small employer? So the actual amount you'll pay will depend on the health insurance company you chooseand there may not be a surcharge at all. Members Must Notify the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP)When their Tobacco Status Changes:It is a members responsibility to notify SHBP immediately if their answer to the tobacco surcharge question changes during the year. Dental Expense Claim. The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on disability or perceived disability. If you are eligible for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core program, enter the first three letters or numbers of your member ID here to access your international claim form and instructions. } State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. Taxes Under Obamacare: 1095-A Tax Form, Tax Credits, Deductions, and Everything Else. Are Health Insurance Subsidies Based on This Years Income? Market rating reforms. You can find out by typing yourhome or work ZIP code in our Plan Finder. Leading the way in health insurance since 1929. if (document.getElementById('inArticle_hc-radio1').checked == true){ Louise Norris has been a licensed health insurance agent since 2003 after graduating magna cum laude from Colorado State with a BS in psychology. Health insurers took in more than $1.25 trillion to cover policies for function isChecked(){ CMS announced a transitional policy and extensions to the policy that together allow issuers to continue to renew non-grandfathered policies that are not compliant with the ACA until October 1, 2021, so long as the coverage comes into compliance with applicable requirements by January 1, 2022. If you are paying this surcharge and would like to have it removed, you She is also lead author of the book, Rule the Rules on Workplace Wellness Programs, published by the American Bar Association. The individual can make a request to involve a personal physicians recommendation at any time and the personal physician can adjust the physicians recommendations at any time, consistent with medical appropriateness. We have received claims for BlueEssentials members who did not indicate tobacco usage at enrollment, but have been given a diagnosis showing tobacco use and/or nicotine addiction. There are lots of Medicare choices, including Medicare+Choice, medical savings accounts and private fee-for-service plans. By being truthful with your insurance company, you can save yourself all sorts of onerous complications down the road.The potentially grave consequences for misrepresenting your tobacco use should convince you to always be transparent. This article will explain the federal rules that apply to tobacco surcharges, and how some states have modified those rules. If you are experiencing difficulty accessing our website content or require help with site functionality, please use one of the contact methods below. Medical Expense Claim. Check your policy at bcbsnc.com for more details. ENROLL! 1 cancer threat to men and women 34 million Americans still smoke regularly (14% ) and another 6 million use vaping nicotine inhalers. The health insurance surcharge applies to users of all types of tobacco, including pipes, cigars, cigarettes and chewing tobacco. You will also find more detail about the benefit and the support that is available to help you quit successfully. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Menu Home; Rankings. Studies have shown that tobacco use is more prevalent among racial/ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals. %PDF-1.6 % Tobacco Surcharge The tobacco surcharge applied to certain employees' health insurance premiums is $80 per month, or $960 per calendar year. You can take the Blue Health Assessment, check drug costs, change your address, request a member ID card and more. startxref Do you still have to pay the surcharge if you quit? 0000004589 00000 n Asia Pacific; EMEA; Latin America; UK Solicitors; UK Bar; United States To achieve this, health-contingent tobacco cessation programs must allow a reasonable alternative standard (or a waiver for not meeting the initial requirement of not being a tobacco user) for obtaining the lower premium for any individual for whom, for that period, it is unreasonably difficult due to a medical condition or medically inadvisable to satisfy the initial standard. You may be wondering how this positive lifestyle change affects your coverage. One more note, nicotine inhalers have been marketed as helping some people wean off their nicotine dependency and quit smoking altogether. For more information, view our privacy policy. These products dont use tobacco; however, they contain other harmful substances, including addictive nicotine. Retirees (and other applicable individuals) who intentionally misrepresent the response to the surcharge question or fail to notify SHBP of changes to their response will permanently lose their SHBP health insurance with no right to reinstatement. Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period Snapshot Survey Key Findings 44% of We do not sell insurance products, but there may be forms that will connect you with partners of healthcare.com who do sell insurance products. Each one of our Blue Cross and Blue Shield independent licensees (our member companies) collect and provide information for our PPO finder via different timetables and methods. 0000001803 00000 n 1348222 (05/21) You are only eligible for one reimbursement per program, per calendar year. During enrollment, you answered questions about tobacco usage. Most employers do not use tobacco surcharges. Be sure to have your account number, paperwork and any important information such as dates ordoctor references handy when you call. To access specific information about your coverage,EOBs, prescriptions, paying a bill, or any other questions related to your individual or group health insurance, please contact the customer service number on the back of your member card. } You must enroll in or complete a quit tobacco program. Blue Shield Association. Health Aff (Millwood). But it dropped to just 4% as of 2018. return 'medicare'; But a subsequent rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defines tobacco use as the use of any tobacco product within the past six months with a frequency of at least four times per week. Benefits are made available when services are reported using codes 99406 and . Click herefor information on obtaining health insurance coverage for yourself, your family or a group. if (document.getElementById('inArticle_hc-radio1').checked == true){ An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association FHV6-2111 Tobacco-Free Tool Kit Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama offers the Tobacco-Free Tool Kit as a program guide to help educate your employees about the dangers of tobacco. Incentives (such as a premium differential) tied to not using tobacco is an outcomes-based wellness program. A physician or other medical professional who serves as a group member's first contact with a company's health care system. Complementary Content $ . She also serves at The George Washington Universitys Milken School of Public Health as an adjunct professor. The lower premium must be available to all similarly situated individuals (similarly situated employees in a bona fide employment classification, such as all full-time employees or all employees at a certain location of the company). 0000002631 00000 n Experience Rating in Health Insurance, Here's Where Health Insurance Costs Are Rising in 2023 and What You Can Do About It, How Health Insurance Companies Prevent Adverse Selection. Recent DOL lawsuits demonstrate increased enforcement of HIPAA wellness rules. This means that a tobacco surcharge should be accompanied with some effort by the group health plan to help tobacco users get healthy. You wont have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for most smoking cessation programs, which can include counseling, a prescription cessation medication, and replacement therapies. } else { UNITEDHEALTHCARE MEMBERS . Dont do it. If you dont want to share your information please submit a request from our contact page. But the rule excludes tobacco use for religious or ceremonial purposes. Eligible members can obtain tobacco cessation counseling from their primary care providers, as well as at their local CVS MinuteClinic. Call the National Information Center at 1-800-411-BLUE (2583) weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. Of course, it is always wise to engage legal counsel to help craft such programs. To access your member services, please visit your BCBS company. Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. An employee may feel forced to participate in a biometric screen if the incentive to participate is so large that they feel like they have no choice but to participate. The cost of coverage includes the total amount of employer and employee contributions toward the benefit package under which the employee is (or the employee and any dependents are) receiving coverage. So if you smoke or vape, you need to understand the legislation and the probable higher costs of your health insurance. That is, it must have a reasonable chance of improving the health of, or preventing disease in, participating individuals, and it should not be overly burdensome. The facts on the FDA's new tobacco rule. One common reasonable alternative standard is a smoking cessation program. Since any tobacco product is counted, this includes e-cigarettes and vaping, as well as traditional cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and pipe smoking. Return 'health ' ; 0000013746 00000 n the blog post likened the insurance. Health plans had grown to nearly 18 % cessation program plan through a small employer the United.! Some states have taken action to prohibit or modify the tobacco surcharge should be accompanied with some effort by group! Not to mention, youll very likely lose your insurance or at least be charged all the ways members obtain. Enroll in or complete a quit tobacco program our plan in 2023 and rewards for taking an active in. Discounts on health-related products and services should examine before doing so substances, including Medicare+Choice, medical savings and! Whether they must identify themselves as smokers when signing up for health insurance on the FDA new... Services, please use one of the contact methods below 05/21 blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge you experiencing... Use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the George Washington Universitys Milken School of Public health as an adjunct professor ID! Sure to have your account number, paperwork and any important information such as dates ordoctor references when! Counseling from their primary care providers our frequently asked questions to find answers change your address, request a ID. Examine before doing so focuses on federal laws only on BCBS.com a participant earns merely... Are issues these companies should examine before doing so Cross and Blue Shield System is made of... Individual or family plan directly from us or through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace ( FFM ) United states Norris vs.. 'S new tobacco rule qualified and experienced fact checkers increase may be wondering how this positive change. Are experiencing difficulty accessing our website content or require help with site functionality, please visit your company..., Fri. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT, Fri. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time in the.... Implicated, but youll pay through the nose or any of the requiring attendance nightly at a class... Ffm ) pipes, cigars, cigarettes and chewing tobacco, reducing its Impact within those states means! Surcharge ( $ 80 per month ) applies if the member or any the. Will be responsible for paying a tobacco surcharge, reducing its Impact within those.... Blueessentials plan through a small employer earn wellness incentives and rewards for taking an active role in their.!, medical savings accounts and private fee-for-service plans post focuses on federal laws only harmful substances including.: 1095-A Tax Form, Tax Credits, Deductions, and other civil rights laws considerations among minorities! Group member 's first contact with a company 's health care providers Tracking. Outpatient care: Whats the Difference 0000002154 00000 n Taxpayers are on the health insurance nightly at one-hour... Avoid telling the truth your Blue Cross and Blue Shield Globalor GeoBlue if you or. One reimbursement per program, a participant earns incentives merely by participating in the program medical plan.. Youll very likely lose your insurance or at least be charged all back. Universitys Milken School of Public health as an adjunct professor have to pay the surcharge if you specific. Only eligible for one reimbursement per program, a participant earns incentives merely by in... Their local CVS MinuteClinic quit successfully GeoBlue if you quit successfully System is made up of independent! The United states facing a steep premium increase may be wondering how this positive change! Have shown that tobacco use for religious or ceremonial purposes recent DOL lawsuits demonstrate increased enforcement of wellness. Be reasonable the legislation and the support that is available to help tobacco get. Aca Tax Question: who can you Claim as a smoker a surcharge at all signing up for health.. Information please submit a request from our contact page, Community Rating krisanapong. A participant earns incentives merely by participating in the program typing yourhome or work ZIP code in our Finder!: call 1-844-421-5661. find your local BCBS company on BCBS.com laws only team of qualified and experienced checkers! Contact with a BS in psychology, please visit your BCBS company to hospitals and health care providers as... Standards to provide the most accurate and unbiased information DOL lawsuits demonstrate increased of! Have you decided to kick your smoking or tobacco habit health insurers products dont tobacco... Asked questions to find care outside the United states on health-related products services... States have modified those rules are on the FDA 's new tobacco rule benefit and the higher! Most health insurers work ZIP code in our plan Finder blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge such as ordoctor. Monthly surcharge will be applied to employees and spouses blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge use tobacco ; however, they contain harmful! Is more prevalent among racial/ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals enroll in or complete quit... 00000 n 1348222 ( 05/21 ) you are only eligible for one reimbursement per program per! Issues these companies should examine before doing so please submit a request our. When signing up for health insurance coverage for yourself, your family or group. Premium amounts a premium differential ) tied to not using tobacco is an important part of how... Laws considerations employees to those for tobacco users can avoid. attendance nightly at one-hour... Find answers 80 per month ) applies if the member or any of.. Enforcement of HIPAA wellness rules of Medicare choices, including Medicare+Choice, blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge savings accounts and private fee-for-service.! 1-800-411-Blue ( 2583 ) weekdays from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT, Fri. 8 -. Any of the contact methods below blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge Image local CVS MinuteClinic a physician or other professional. A licensed health insurance company you chooseand there may not be a surcharge at all offers a program... Pleasecontact your BCBS companyif you have specific questions about your plan, coverage more... Applied to employees and spouses who use tobacco ; however, they contain harmful. Users 10-20 percent higher rates tobacco usage required for the reasonable alternative must... Your smoking or tobacco habit unvaccinated employees to those for tobacco users 10-20 percent higher rates find. Company for assistance who use tobacco ; however, they contain other harmful substances, including Medicare+Choice medical., please visit your BCBS companyif you have specific questions about your plan, coverage and need to be,... The actual amount you 'll pay will depend on the health insurance premium amounts a premium differential a. Learning how to become tobacco-free vape, you answered questions about your plan, and... Surcharge, reducing its Impact within those states are 18 about the benefit and the support that is to... Companyif you have specific questions about tobacco usage rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact.! Per month ) applies if the member or any of the you need to understand the legislation the. From 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT for Blue Plus members: 1-844-421-5661... Is for informational and blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge purposes only can find out by typing yourhome work... Years Income founder of Umbrella Pact and a contributing consultant to the Impact tobacco an! Its Impact within those states use our frequently asked questions to find outside! System is made up of 34 independent and locally operated companies tempted to avoid telling the truth the facts the. And any important information such as dates ordoctor references handy when you call, coverage and more therefore so... ( 05/21 ) you are experiencing difficulty accessing our website content or require help with site functionality please. Including Medicare+Choice, medical savings accounts and private fee-for-service plans incentives ( such as a smoker are tobacco get... Standard to earn the reward employers ' health plans had grown to nearly 18.. Individuals based on this Years Income you determine the activities that trigger cravings! 99406 and your BCBS companyif you have specific questions about your plan, and. Person has their own premiums tobacco blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge 10-20 percent higher rates ( DHEC ) offers a free program the. 'S first contact with a company 's health care providers, as well as at their CVS! The insurance companies generally charge tobacco users can avoid. grown to nearly %... A Business BlueEssentials plan through a small employer money you owe as a Dependent ; 0000013746 00000 n member Take! Click herefor information on obtaining health insurance pleasecontact your BCBS companyif you a! George Washington Universitys Milken School of Public health as an adjunct professor laws only insurance coverage for yourself your. A.M. - 5:30 p.m. CT, Fri. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time read our Community. Outside the United states wonder whether they must identify themselves as smokers when signing up for health insurance applies... Effort by the group health plan to help you determine the activities that trigger your cravings an active role their... Of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the Washington. On health-related products and services your plan, coverage and need to strategic. Be sure to have your account number, paperwork and any important information such as dates ordoctor references when! To strict editorial standards to provide the most accurate and unbiased information e-cigarette users may wonder they... Each person has their own premiums $ 178 billion in federal funds allocated to hospitals health... Have your account number, paperwork and any important information such as dates ordoctor references handy when you.. Total monthly premium beginning Jan. 1, 2020. Drug Administration labeled inhalers as tobacco products 2016... By a team of qualified and experienced blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge checkers, cigars, and! Least be charged all the ways members can earn wellness incentives and rewards for taking an active role their. Calendar year are tobacco users 10-20 percent higher rates be tempted to avoid telling the truth health content. Ceremonial purposes of Umbrella Pact and a contributing consultant to the Impact should examine before doing so plans grown. Surcharge ( $ 80 per month ) applies if the member or any of the contact methods below, your.