What are you going to do...?

Joined : 15 Dec 2007 Posts : 38

What are you going to do if the cost of insurance is higher for a smoker?
The other day I checked the cost for life insurance. One of the questions I was asked was "Are you a smoker?" The cost was about double if I said that I was a smoker. Since I already have both life and medical insurance this is not a problem, at the moment.
I heard on the radio that John Mcaine wanted people to pay for health care based on their risk. I interpret this to mean that health insurance would cost more if you were a smoker. If this happens, would you give up pipe smoking?
Bub

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:37 pm

If they actually give dirt cheap healthcare to the broccoli and bean curd eating health nut I'd feel a lot better about paying higher rates, but you just know that nobody is gonna get a break, there will only be high and higher.
_________________
These are horrible times and all sorts of horrible people are prospering, but we must never let this disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to annoy and hinder them at every turn.
I BLATANTLY ENDORSE

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:09 pm

Ain't THAT the truth !

What a Face

_________________
All the old cliches are true.
That's why they're cliches.

Last edited by on Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:58 pm; edited 1 time in total

I've got a pretty decent healthcare plan.. Its called regardless of what, I gotta drag my ass out to the truck and claim its work related so workmans comp handles it.

Hey Doc, I swear that the clap is trucking related lol!

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:22 pm

I would have to seriously consider it, because insurance is beasting through about a third of my paycheck, roughly.

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:52 pm

I believe before it is all over being a known smoker is going to penalize a man in just about every aspest of society. Some companies are going to a completely smoke free work force and even test employees for nicotine.

I am already being penalized through my companies optional life plan. Because I have to declare that I am a smoker my monthly premiums are approximately 3 times higher than my coworkers that declare they are non-smokers.

Unfortunately I believe it is going to get worse before it ever gets better.

Mark
_________________

"Man is the only religious animal. In the holy task of smoothing his brother's path to the happiness of Heaven, he has turned the globe into a graveyard."

Mark Twain

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:09 am

Bub,

I plan on smoking my pipes til' a large hole is dug and a box containing me or what's left of me is tossed into it.If insurance companies try to deny me coverage/raise rates to an impossible level,I'll become a nonsmoker on paper.Prove it! Laughing

Best,
Dock

_________________

My Pipe Rack: http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd193/DockJPerry/?start=0

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:48 am

One thing that I noticed on the questionaire of my insurances for this year's enrollment, is in the description for smokers there is a notation that being declared a smoker includes smoking pipes, cigars and using any form of smokeless tobacco.

I don't know why they just don't go ahead and call it tobacco users.

I must be a bad, bad person because I smoke a pipe and use smokeless tobacco sometimes. I can honestly say that I absolutely do not smoke cigarettes and I only smoke a cigar about every couple of years, if that much.
_________________

"Man is the only religious animal. In the holy task of smoothing his brother's path to the happiness of Heaven, he has turned the globe into a graveyard."

Mark Twain

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:41 pm

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:45 pm

Rule #1...Don't ever tell'em anything other than you are the picture of perfect health! They have a bunch of rules relating to height, weight, health history, family history, etc. Their lowest-advertised rates are based on matching a health profile; anything outside that profile means a higher premium! Deny everything; implicate everybody!! That's my story..and I'm stickin' to it!!

Rule #2...They can test you for nicotine usage; it's either a blood(seldom used) or breath analyzer(the norm) test. No let them test=no insurance. However, according to my medical buds, unless you inhale a whole bunch (i.e., cigarettes), the chances of this test showing anything for a pipe or cigar smoker are slim (again, presuming NO inhalation). Plus, if you know the test is approaching...just quit for a few days. Your system clears out pretty fast! Also, gargling with a NON-alcoholic mouth/dental rinse will help with the breath analyzer. I know nothing about the effects of smokeless tobacco; you're on your own there!! FWIW...FTRPLT

Subject: Re: What are you going to do...? Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:56 pm

I seem to remember a story on health insurance for cigar smokers in Cigar Aficianado a year or two ago and it started off by saying the publisher (I think, someone high up but not Shanken himself), who is a pretty heavy cigar smoker, went in for a nicotine test and came out clean despite the fact he had smoked a cigar earlier in the day! I can't confirm the details or year on this because I gave all my Aficianados away.

Of course if I knew I was going in to test I probably would risk it with a cigar in the morning. Very Happy

_________________
-Lew
Lisbon, ND
-----------------
Flickr - Kind of Lew
Form 19