Cigars and Health Insurance

[RacFocus]

Exactly my point. I'd hate to see someone put in that spot while battling an illness.

My wife and I actually work for the same business. Instead of going on a family plan and saving a few bucks we separate our insurance for this reason. She can save money with the kids on her plan as a non smoker. While I pay more monthly on a separate plan to cover my ass.

Probably won't matter in the long run, but I'm taking no chances. Just chalk it up to the cost of doing business. Or smoking cigars.


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[navyvet]

If they can find any kinda technicality you would be in the same boat

 

[Hamm]

The burden lies with the insurance company to prove that you're a smoker. They can't deny a claim related to smoking, just because you said you weren't a smoker.

 

[RacFocus]

The burden lies with the insurance company to prove that you're a smoker. They can't deny a claim related to smoking, just because you said you weren't a smoker.

You may be right, but I'm not taking any chances.


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[joe45]

The burden lies with the insurance company to prove that you're a smoker. They can't deny a claim related to smoking, just because you said you weren't a smoker.

And we all post about it on an open forum. It wouldn't be hard to prove of they went looking.

 

[Daven]

The burden lies with the insurance company to prove that you're a smoker.

Id rather pay the few extra bucks and not worry about the insurance company covering a medical bill which could potentially bankrupt me.

 

[Hamm]

If I were smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, I can understand paying more for health insurance. However, if i'm smoking two maybe three cigars a week, I don't really think it's fair to be lumped into one big group of "smokers".

 

[joe45]

If I were smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, I can understand paying more for health insurance. However, if i'm smoking two maybe three cigars a week, I don't really think it's fair to be lumped into one big group of "smokers".

I completely agree.

Doesn't mean it couldn't still be used against you. Not everything is fair.

 

[marshall9779]

Do you work for a smaller company or a very large company with many employees?


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I've worked for a few companies in the last couple years but contracting now and on my wife's. 2 jobs ago was a small subsidiary of a large worldwide company. Last job was with a pretty large company as well. Interested to see at my new job in a week and a half.


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[RacFocus]

I've worked for a few companies in the last couple years but contracting now and on my wife's. 2 jobs ago was a small subsidiary of a large worldwide company. Last job was with a pretty large company as well. Interested to see at my new job in a week and a half.


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When I worked at a smaller company I don't remember ever having to say I was a smoker. Probably just their insurance company. Not that I work for a much larger company I have to. May just be the different insurance provider.


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[sean]

agreed, check the wording carefully. for my company it defines a tobacco users as:

A tobacco user is a person who is currently smoking or using any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars or smokeless tobacco products (including, but not limited to electronic or e-cigarettes), within the three months preceding Open Enrollment.
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another thing to consider is if your company does check-ups. a friend of mine at another company, i know they do swab test to check for tobacco use. my company does not do any tests, so declaring your tobacco use is strictly based on the honor system.

My company is the same way.

6 months prior, no swab, but honesty policy in place. Lying could save me 600/yr but I'd hate to think about my family not getting my life insurance payout because the company posthumously discovered I lied.

 

[ChuckMejia]

My company is the same way.

6 months prior, no swab, but honesty policy in place. Lying could save me 600/yr but I'd hate to think about my family not getting my life insurance payout because the company posthumously discovered I lied.

Lying is bad bro, well said!

 

[ckay]

You can lie about it all you want but the fact of the matter is that if the illness is a result of smoking, the insurance company can deny coverage. The burden of proof is on the insurance company, but why risk the loss of any coverage over a tobacco use surcharge?
As for life insurance, there is a 2 year period from issue date that the company can contest a policy based on material misrepresentation but after that you are free from any benefit rescission. That provision does not exist in health insurance.

 

[JG358]

Lying is bad bro, well said!

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on it.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I considered this for my policy a couple years back but got some good advice here and went legit. Paying same for a 170k policy as I would have for a 500k policy but it is what it is.

 

[voyager]

$40 is reasonable. We all spend 40 bucks on a few sticks. I would follow the rules.

 

[tengel78]

So, I just got the actual forms and you still receive the discount if you participate in the tobacco cessation program and call in once a year to the cessation line.
I'm going that route since I can be honest and not pay anything more out of pocket.

Thanks all for your comments!

 

[ckay]

I considered this for my policy a couple years back but got some good advice here and went legit. Paying same for a 170k policy as I would have for a 500k policy but it is what it is.

Prudential is favorable to cigar smokers and gives non-smoker rates to them. That's the go to company when I come across clients that smoke cigars.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Prudential is favorable to cigar smokers and gives non-smoker rates to them. That's the go to company when I come across clients that smoke cigars.

Noted

 

[joe45]

Prudential is favorable to cigar smokers and gives non-smoker rates to them. That's the go to company when I come across clients that smoke cigars.

Good to know.