Health Insurance Daily

States Hit Public Employees With Smoking Surcharge

As private and public sector employers increasingly target smoking as a key contributor to rising health care costs, some states are telling their workers to kick the habit or pay the price.

Under Georgia’s program, state workers during open enrollment will be asked, "Have you or any of your dependents used tobacco products in the previous 12 months?"

Individuals who report tobacco use will incur a flat surcharge of $40 a month during upcoming plan year, regardless of frequency of use in the prior year.

The policy relies on the honor system, and there are no mechanisms in place for tobacco testing. Employees found to be concealing tobacco use risk of losing medical coverage for one year.

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posted by Mike @ 8:03 AM