Time to complete approved tobacco cessation program to avoid 2014 additional medical premium
August 12, 2013
The $500 per person tobacco-user additional premium will continue for 2014 Purdue medical plans. The additional premium applies to employees and covered spouses/same-sex domestic partners. If both people in the couple use tobacco and are covered by the plan, the additional premium will be $1,000.
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. 15 qualify for a waiver of the 2014 additional premium.
A variety of approved cessation programs is available. To complete a listed program in time for a January 2014 waiver, participants must enroll by the specified date.
* Health coaching through the Center for Healthy Living (Living Tobacco Free): Enroll by Aug. 19.
* Classroom programs at West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and North Central: Enroll by Sept. 18.
* Online program for all campuses: Enroll by Sept. 30.
* Phone program for all campuses (Indiana Tobacco Quitline): Enroll by Sept. 30.
* Health coaching by phone through Center for Healthy Living, for employees at Calumet, Fort Wayne and North Central campuses: Enroll by Sept. 30.
Employees who do not enroll in time to earn a January waiver may complete an approved program later in the year for a partial waiver of the additional premium.
For more information, including how to get started, go to www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/tobaccoCessation.html.
Employees will certify their tobacco-user status and that of their covered spouses/SSDPs during the online benefits open enrollment process this fall. 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 2014.
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 2014 benefits enrollment or must have completed an approved tobacco cessation program as outlined above. Open enrollment will take place Oct. 28-Nov. 15.