Tobacco has always been a source of conflict for insurance companies and the people who purchase their plans. For one thing, policyholders as well as providers have to meet the challenge of defining the term “smoker”. Those who smoke cigarettes know that they pay a higher premium than those who don’t smoke cigarettes, and with good cause. But what about people like those who smoke e cigs or even cigars?
Who Is a Smoker?
Cigar smokers often receive the same premium bills that non-smokers receive, yet they smoke tobacco. And now we have e cigarettes. Right now the FDA has a plan in motion that can settle the issue for many insurance companies. They want to be able to define what falls into the “tobacco” category, regardless of whether there is any tobacco use involved or not. Should their proposal pass, vapers everywhere can expect to pay higher premiums across the board than non-smokers, even though they don’t smoke tobacco.
Whether or not you get charged as a smoker depends largely on the company you work for or the insurance company you go with. Prudential does not consider vapers to be smokers. Highmark Health Services does not charge more if you are a vaper, but you don’t get the non-smoker discount either. The UPMC Health Plan doesn’t even ask if you smoke e-cigarettes. Walmart and UPS both charge participants as tobaccos smokers if they don’t smoke tobacco, but do use vapor products.
Issues with Vapers and Insurance
Because there is still an ongoing debate about the health effects of e cigs vapers shouldn’t expect a discount any time soon. Though there is little question that they are healthier than tobacco cigarettes, it seems that the comparison model is not what law makers are after. Should laws pass that allow the FDA to set their own definition of tobacco products, it will be game over for the vapers, and the insurance companies will rake in the premiums. Since the insurance companies and the government often seem to be one in the same, there is no better time for vapers to make their voice heard and distinguish between the two bodies.
Other than revenues, insurance companies do have an interesting quandry. Currently, some insurance companies set a time limit that determines whether you are to be considered a smoker or not. For example, some consider you a non-smoker if you quit yesterday while others insist on a five year period of non-smoking. Then the issue at hand is how insurance companies can tell the difference. If and when vapers are tested for cigarette use, nicotine is the chemical that is being tested. This means that a vaper can test positive as a smoker even if they quit smoking cigarettes ten years ago. Interestingly enough, nicotine isn’t even the main concern of the insurance companies.
What to Do
When filling out an insurance application, ask for a clear definition of “smoker” in writing. Otherwise, you may have issues in the future. If you say that you aren’t a smoker and you have health issues later on and test positive for nicotine, your insurance company may be able to deny your claim and charge you with fraud. Whatever you do, don’t lie on your application. Simply learn the definitions that the insurance company uses and apply them to your situation.
Vaper’s Concerns
As someone who used to smoke, I am amazed that such highly educated people can’t see the difference between smoking tobacco and vaping. There is no doubt in my mind that insurance companies and politicians alike will continue to seek higher premiums as they “wait” on clearer definitions. The reality is that they are just trying to find a way to get back the money they are losing from the people who quit smoking tobacco. The real irony is that someone who uses vapor products but has never smoked a tobacco cigarette in their life may experience the same premiums as a two pack a day smoker.