Finish approved tobacco cessation program by Nov. 14 to avoid additional premium on 2015 medical plan
September 18, 2014
The $500 per person tobacco-user additional premium will continue for 2015 Purdue medical plans. The additional premium applies to employees and covered spouses/same-sex domestic partners (SSDPs). 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. 14 qualify for a full waiver of the 2015 additional premium. Programs completed at other times in 2014 don't qualify for a 2015 waiver.
Tobacco users have a variety of approved cessation programs available that they may complete in time for a January 2015 waiver.
* Classroom programs at West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and North Central: Begin by Oct. 3.
* Online program for all campuses: Begin by Oct. 3.
* Phone program for all campuses (Indiana Tobacco Quitline): Begin by Oct. 3.
* Health coaching at West Lafayette's Center for Healthy Living and at Fort Wayne: Begin by Oct. 3.
* Staying Tobacco Free online program for those who have already quit and stayed tobacco-free: Begin by Oct. 17.
"Don't delay and miss out," says Eva Nodine, benefits director in Human Resources. According to Nodine, the dates listed above don't allow time for any glitches. "Get signed up and start right away to make sure the option you want is available and that you have time to finish by Nov. 14."
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 2015 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 2015.
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 2015 benefits enrollment or must have completed an approved tobacco cessation program as outlined above. Open enrollment will take place Oct. 27-Nov. 14.
Anyone with questions may contact Human Resources at 49-42222 or hr@purdue.edu.
