Health Insurance BS-cigar related

[smokinbodybuilder]

Super long story just long...my boss recently decided to get me health insurance and pay for 100% of it! Sweet deal right? Well I get a call from a nurse that works for the insurance company last week asking me to give details about a recent stint in the hospital I did back in Nov. I give her my rundown and then she asks me, "have you smoked tobacco products in the past year, more specificallly, do you smoke cigars or pipes?" At this point I figure she has a copy of my medical history and sees that I admitted to having an occasional cigar (3-5 a week is occasional right?) while in the hospital. I explain to her that I have had maybe one to two cigars in the past year...hehehe. Huge mistake. Shoulda lied. I get an email from them today that I have been approved for coverage but because of my 1)medical history 2)tobacco use and 3)height/weight my premium will be higher.

here's what blows my f'n mind. I can totally understand the medical history. But my height and weight? I'm 5'8" and 215lbs. I'm a personal trainer by profession and a competitive bodybuilder/powerlifter. I carry an above average amount of muscle. I have visible abs for heaven's sake...but no, because I'm heavier than normal my premium goes up. Then the cigar thing. I told her I'd literally smoked 1 or 2 cigars in the past year and my premium goes up because I'm a "smoker."

I called my agent and explained my concerns. He agreed 100% with me and made a few calls in my defense and came up with nothing. So if I hadn't smoked "1-2 cigars" in the past year and if I wasn't so damn healthy and worked out a lot, I coulda saved myself over a $100 a month on health ins. Thats how much my premium went up. About $110 a month.

Let me just tell you this...its hurting me to sit down right now.

 

[hdroadglide]

welcome to the world of health insurance. they're gonna look for anything. interestingly enough, i've smoked for over 30 years and none of my blood tests have ever shown any nicotine use!

 

[Jwrussell]

Gotta be careful with the whole, "hiding the smoking" thing. Some insurance companies will test for it. Beyond that, I like your last comment, pretty much nailed it. I'm a bit surprised your agent couldn't do anything about this. Sounds like your boss might want to shop for a different company next time around.

 

[itallushrt]

Obama will save us.

 

[smokinbodybuilder]

Gotta be careful with the whole, "hiding the smoking" thing. Some insurance companies will test for it. Beyond that, I like your last comment, pretty much nailed it. I'm a bit surprised your agent couldn't do anything about this. Sounds like your boss might want to shop for a different company next time around.

I wont say the name of the company, but after my agent got ahold of someone they pretty much told him they dont "need" me like I "need" them. The person then said I'd only be listed as a smoker for 12mo and next year at this time I can reapply some papers and claim I don't smoke. My agent was told they're too big and busy of a company to do a case-by-case review...so if I don't fit into their criteria too bad for me. Whatever. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from my boss. I'd be shocked if he still wants to pick up the whole tab.

 

[e-man67]

Yup, I pay $40 extra in health insurance every 2 weeks to be able to smoke...they said if you use any tobacco in a 6 month period then you are a user...bs.

 

[stogies&hoagies]

Never tell them you smoke cigars. If you have to do a blood / urine test lay off for three days before. I also tell them the regulars in my saturday foursome are avid cigar smokers, and geee...I don't know if that may show up, but I just want to be completely honest if something may appear. Second hand smoke being so dangerous and all. hehehe

You should get another insurance company. I have preferred plus on my health and life insurance policies and am listed as a non smoker. I do smoke 10+ a week btw. Oh and I'm 5'7" 207 lbs.

 

[smokinbodybuilder]

Well I really dont plan on being on this insurance long. My gf and I will be engaged by the end of the summer and she wants to get married right away. She gets great benefits through work and our plan all along was to get me on something to get by until we get married and I can mooch off her. So we'll see how this pans out for now.

In the grand scheme of things...even though my rates went up I'm still paying less than some people I know...

 

[veeref]

When I applied for life insurance last year I had to submit to a medical exam and blood test. About 1-2 weeks before I stopped having cigars and I still received an A+ rating on my policy.

Sorry to hear about your situation. I guess you know what to put on the app next time.

 

[icehog3]

here's what blows my f'n mind. I can totally understand the medical history. But my height and weight? I'm 5'8" and 215lbs. I'm a personal trainer by profession and a competitive bodybuilder/powerlifter. I carry an above average amount of muscle. I have visible abs for heaven's sake...but no, because I'm heavier than normal my premium goes up.

Yup....20 years ago when I was doing the same, I had to take a health insurance physical. I was 6'2 and 267 pounds at that time, but my body fat was around 6-7%...yet they said I was grossly obese. That's what happens when the industry uses some antiquated "standard" instead of modern technology to measure fitness.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Well I really dont plan on being on this insurance long. My gf and I will be engaged by the end of the summer and she wants to get married right away. She gets great benefits through work and our plan all along was to get me on something to get by until we get married and I can mooch off her. So we'll see how this pans out for now.

In the grand scheme of things...even though my rates went up I'm still paying less than some people I know...

Sorry to hear about the BS, I just went though the exams etc and feel your pain.

If you are looking to "mooch" on your wife's plan, you will have to do the interview, exams etc all over again... they don't simply let you "mooch" off of it. Also, most life insurance companies share medical records so if you apply for a new policy in 6 months, they will know the results of your recent application and medical records.

I was fortunate as I admitted to smoking a few times a year, smoked 2 weeks before my urine test and still got the best possible non-smoking policy... but only after they requested my medical records and took almost 3 months to look them over.

 

[RustySmoke]

Gotta be careful with the whole, "hiding the smoking" thing. Some insurance companies will test for it. Beyond that, I like your last comment, pretty much nailed it. I'm a bit surprised your agent couldn't do anything about this. Sounds like your boss might want to shop for a different company next time around.

I just went for an exam for life insurance and they tested for smoking. In preparation for the exam I didn't smoke (cigars) for about 3 weeks. nothing showed up an the test.

On a side note.. I had to go for a lung test to get cleared for a recent surgery. The pulmonary doctor asked about smoking and I was honest (about 1 or 2 cigars a week). He asked if I inhaled and I said no. He told me he doesn't consider me a smoker at all..

 

[smokinbodybuilder]

just to be clear I was only applying for health insurance. I have been told that for life insurance they will subject you to tests and screening. For my health ins. application they didn't require me to do any testing or see a Dr. or any of that stuff. They just took my word.

 

[Le Buzz]

Being honest was a good call. If you were ever in an accident or god forbid you got cancer, they could cancel your policy and then you're screwed. They would definitely find proof of your smoking, believe me these people are ruthless.

 

[smokinbodybuilder]

Being honest was a good call. If you were ever in an accident or god forbid you got cancer, they could cancel your policy and then you're screwed. They would definitely find proof of your smoking, believe me these people are ruthless.

I hear you on that...I can just picture it now...

"Mr. Girardi...you say you don't smoke cigars but once a year, then why do you have a butane torch, cigar cutter and cup holder ash tray full of cigar ashes in your car? And why is there a tattoo of a cigar on your arm? And why is there an empty Arturo Fuente box in your back seat? And why are you whining about us on BOTL?" HAHAHAHAHA

 

[NCost]

That sux.

On the other hand, not all policies are like that. I have great insurance and never once have been asked if I smoke, drink or anything. Same goes w/ my life insurance. But I work for a large company so that may help.

 

[ChazHollywood]

Being honest was a good call. If you were ever in an accident or god forbid you got cancer, they could cancel your policy and then you're screwed. They would definitely find proof of your smoking, believe me these people are ruthless.

Came here to post that. You do NOT want to give them any ammo to drop you or deny a claim later.

-Charles