Additional premium for tobacco users increases to $500
Cessation programs available on all campuses

The tobacco-user additional premium will increase to $500 per person in January 2013.

Employees will certify their tobacco-user status and that of their covered spouses/same-sex domestic partners during open enrollment. Those covered by a Purdue medical plan who do not certify their status will be considered a tobacco user and will be charged the $500 additional premium in 2013.

To qualify as a non-tobacco user and avoid the additional premium, a person must have been a non-tobacco user for at least 12 months immediately prior to completing the 2013 benefits enrollment.

Those who complete 12 months as a non-tobacco user during 2013 can get the additional premium waived at that time. When a person has been a non-tobacco user for at least 12 months, the person will complete the Tobacco User Certification Form and submit it to Human Resources. The additional premium will be waived on Purdue pay the person receives during the rest of the calendar year, after allowing appropriate time for processing of the waiver.

Employees and spouses/SSDPs who have used tobacco during the past 12 months may qualify for a waiver of the additional premium by completing an approved tobacco cessation program. Approved programs completed Sept. 1- Nov. 16 qualify for a waiver of the 2013 additional premium.

Tobacco users who do not complete an approved cessation program between Sept. 1 and Nov. 16 will have opportunities to complete an approved program during 2013 to qualify for a partial waiver of the additional premium. All campuses have classroom, online and phone options available for approved cessation programs.

For all Purdue health plans, some nicotine replacement therapy items, both over the counter and prescription, are covered 100 percent with no copay for a 180-day supply. A visit to a health care provider to get a prescription is also paid at 100 percent.

For complete details on approved cessation programs and nicotine replacement therapy, go to www.purdue.edu/worklife. Follow the tobacco cessation link in the Information box on the left.

For questions about the tobacco-user additional premium, go to www.purdue.edu/benefitsor contact Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or hr@purdue.edu.