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. 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). A family of five will pay more than a family of three since the additional children will have premiums. Eligible members can obtain tobacco cessation counseling from their primary care providers, as well as at their local CVS MinuteClinic. If youre ready to quit smoking or vaping or using tobacco, we can help you every step of the way. Pick up your free medication at any in-network retail pharmacy. This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only. Health insurance premium levels depend on five key factors: The practice of demanding a surcharge for tobacco use is known as tobacco rating. Medical Expense Claim. Tobacco Surcharge: 5: Tobacco Surcharge Removal: 6 . return 'health'; Across all exchange enrollees, 86% qualify for premium subsidies that amount to an average of nearly $492 per month. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an . An affidavit is a means by The EX Program qualifies as a reasonable alternative standard and has helped over 940,000 tobacco users build the skills and confidence for a successful quit. In some circumstances, an individual may not satisfy the reasonable alternative standard until the end of the year. return 'medicare'; } Call WebMD at 1-855-326-5102 to determine your eligibility and schedule your first call. 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. If you dont make this change, the tobacco surcharge will apply when the plan automatically renews. **Please Note: Nothing contained in this blog post is to be construed as legal advice. If you smoke, you may be able to find one of these companies if you shop hard enough. Health Aff (Millwood). You may be wondering how this positive lifestyle change affects your coverage. Do you have a Business BlueEssentials plan through a small employer? 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. You may also find more information about insurance for individuals and familiesandMedicare. home or work ZIP code in our Plan Finder. Members Currently Paying the Tobacco Surcharge:If a member is currently paying the tobacco surcharge and does not make an active election during Open Enrollment, the current enrollment will default to the new Plan Year and the member will continue to pay the tobacco surcharge. } The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on disability or perceived disability. 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. Tobacco users will pay a surcharge for their health plan coverage beginning July 1, 2022. 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). Click herefor information on obtaining health insurance coverage for yourself, your family or a group. The next time you sign up for health insurance, youll be asked whether you smoke and how often. These members will be responsible for paying a tobacco surcharge equal to 20 percent of their total monthly premium beginning Jan. 1, 2020. . } else { Non-Discrimination Statement and Foreign Language Access, Enroll in a tobacco cessation program. 0000001252 00000 n This tobacco surcharge will increase your monthly PAC contribution by 50%. 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. Read about your data and privacy. Tracking your activities is an important part of learning how to become tobacco-free. Language: english. rights reserved.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Will My Uninsured Medical Expenses Count Toward My Deductible? Tobacco Surcharge The tobacco surcharge applied to certain employees' health insurance premiums is $80 per month, or $960 per calendar year. Should smokers pay more for health insurance? and Blue Shield Association. 0000006451 00000 n While this post may have links to lead generation forms, this wont influence our writing. If your nicotine cravings are hard to manage, you can get a prescription from your doctor for your eligible tobacco cessation drugs, including over-the-counter (OTC) products (see the list below). First step: set a goal to quit with the Online Health Coach by selecting a quit date within the benefit year and completing all seven quit plan questions. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Affidavit of Domestic Partnership for Benefits Eligibility When you add domestic partner coverage to your benefit program, the employee and his or her domestic partner must meet certain eligibility criteria. Bcbs.com is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association website. If that is how employees feel, they may be compelled to complain to the EEOC that the companys wellness program violates the ADA. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. James Lacy, MLS, is a fact-checker and researcher. 0000006890 00000 n return 'medicare'; Read our, Community Rating vs. Tobacco Surcharge If you use tobacco products, there will be an extra charge on your PAC. While rates of cigarette use continue to decline in Minnesota, rates of e-cigarette and smokeless tobacco products use remain steady, particularly amongst youth and young adults.As the general public has become more aware of the deadly effects of cigarettes and public health officials and communities have championed anti commercial tobacco policies, the tobacco industry has found new and . The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently decided to remove the tobacco surcharge for members who are 18 to 20 years old. Insurance premiums could rise across the board. 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. Otherwise, contact your Blue Cross and Blue Shield company for assistance. In addition, he has testified twice before the U.S. Congress as an expert witness. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Blue Shield Association. Plan members need to attest to their tobacco status in their Virgin Pulse portal by May 31, 2022. Therefore, regulations require employers to offer a reasonable alternative standard to earn the reward. We use cookies on this website to give you the best experience and measure website usage. Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Complementary Content $ . 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. trailer Overview of the Children's Health Insurance Program. xref Older people are charged more than younger people, with a cap of three times the rates that apply to a 21-year-old, and smaller premiums for people under the age of 21. But do not expect your insurer to be sympathetic to that argument for lower costs. Health Insurance Surcharges for Tobacco Users: State and Federal Rules. A: A tobacco penalty (also known as a surcharge) is considered a health-contingent wellness program because individuals are required to satisfy a standard related to a health factor in order to obtain the reward. return 'health'; Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), group health plans (and self-insured employers) can charge tobacco users up to 50% more for their health insurance premiums than non-tobacco users, and when they do this it is called a tobacco surcharge. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association does not have access to member information. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. An insurance company has the right to charge up to 50% higher premiums for tobacco users. 0000013935 00000 n Non-Discrimination Statement and Foreign Language AccessCopyright {{ new Date().getFullYear() }} All To access specific information about your coverage and claims related to your individual or group health insurance, please contact the customer service number on the back of your member card. Obviously, I expected the premium to be higher than the estimate and budgeted accordingly. rights reserved.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. 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. During enrollment, you answered questions about tobacco usage. Frequently Asked Questions | Blue Cross Blue Shield Home Learn Frequently Asked Questions Looking to find answers to your billing, claim forms, and other questions? People with low and modest incomes who buy their own health insurance can qualify for premium subsidies that cover the vast majorityor even allof their health insurance premiums if they don't use tobacco. These are just some of the legal considerations employers should explore before adopting a tobacco user surcharge. ){HDG'-@2@1X -, c`H. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges to eligible enrollees, Free one-on-one coaching session with a Quit Coach. return 'medicare'; There are issues these companies should examine before doing so. Outside the United States. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurers can charge higher premiums for tobacco users. Heres What to Do Next, Health Insurance After Divorce: Your Options, Turning 26: Health Insurance Guide for Those Aging Off Their Parents Plan, How to Keep Your Doctor When Your Health Insurance Changes, Health Insurance After the Death of a Spouse, Parent or Other Plan Member. Tobacco use must rise to a certain level before health insurance companies can penalize you. HealthCare.gov. If people remain uninsured because they can't afford health insurance, they're not able to access the free tobacco cessation coverage that's included with ACA-compliant health plans, and they're less likely to receive timely medical treatment when they need it. 0000001727 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. The Blue Cross Blue Shield System is made up of 34 independent and locally operated companies. : 6 to determine your eligibility and schedule your first Call until the end of the way blue cross blue shield tobacco surcharge. Find care outside the United States some of the legal considerations employers should explore before adopting a cessation. Than a family of three since the additional children will have premiums smoke! A fact-checker and researcher website usage our writing, Enroll in a tobacco user surcharge researcher. 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