Act now to avoid tobacco surcharge on health insurance

Beginning in January, Clemson non-smokers will get a break on premiums for their university health insurance.

In a May 4 e-mail to all faculty and staff, Clemson’s human resources department announced a new surcharge will be added to the health insurance premiums of tobacco users covered by the Employee Insurance Program.  

If you — or anyone you cover under your health plan — smokes or uses tobacco, you will pay $25 more per month beginning Jan. 1, 2010.

You will be automatically charged the tobacco-user premium unless you certify that no one covered under your health insurance currently uses tobacco nor has used tobacco within the past six months.  

You must complete this certification to avoid “defaulting” as a smoker and being charged the surcharge.

As a non-tobacco user, you have two ways to apply for the lower premium:

1. Certify online at MyBenefits. Go to the Employee Insurance Web page and click the MyBenefits button on the left of the home page. This method is quick and easy. Be sure to print a copy of the completed certification for your records. All certifications through MyBenefits must be received by Nov. 15, 2009.
2. Complete and return the Certification Regarding Tobacco Use form on the Employee Insurance Program Web page. All paper certifications must be received by Oct. 31, 2009. 

The South Carolina Budget and Control Board approved this surcharge because of the high cost of tobacco use to all EIP health plans — an estimated $75 million a year for tobacco-related illnesses.  

If you are not eligible for the lower premium, EIP is offering help for employees and their covered dependents to stop smoking. See the HR e-mail or the EIP Web page for details.