Tobacco Certification Information

There will be an additional annual premium for those who have used tobacco in the last 12 months. We do this as research shows that tobacco users are at a higher risk for health complications and chronic conditions. The additional premium helps offset their higher healthcare costs. For more information, visit the Tobacco-User Additional Premium: Questions and Answers page.

"Tobacco" includes cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, or any other tobacco product. This also includes electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other vaping devices) as they contain nicotine, which is extracted from tobacco.

Each year you will need to re-certify your tobacco status in Benefitfocus.

• Certified non-tobacco users: Status does not roll forward without additional premium.
• Certified tobacco user with approved waiver status for 2025 Status will need to be re-certified in Benefitfocus for 2026.

If you do not re-certify each year, you will default to tobacco-user status and the additional tobacco-user premium will apply to both you and your spouse, if applicable. Tobacco users will have the option of completing an approved tobacco cessation program to avoid the per person additional tobacco-user annual premium charge ($1,250 in 2025; $1,500 in 2026) each year. The tobacco cessation program must be completed within the current plan year and generally takes 6 weeks to complete. Completed program certificates submitted between Jan. 1 and March 31 will result in lower premiums for all of the plan year. Completed certifications submitted after March 31 will reduce your premiums going forward only.