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Smoking, Vaping, and Health Insurance?

Emilie

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I've heard, though I don't know for sure, that health insurance companies consider you to be non-smoker once you'd been off the stinkies for 6 months, at least, in the US.

First, is that true?

Second, how do they look at vaping, in general, as an industry?

How long before you, yourself, say you're a non-smoker?

I only ask that question because I'd quit cold-turkey for four months 14 years ago, but cravings never left me for a moment. Now, of course I still have cravings for nicotine, but in smaller doses with lower anxiety for longer periods between "needing" to vape (I chain vape out of habit, not because I NEED it).

I figured I'd use the insurance industry's 6 month milestone, but that also got me to thinking what THEY think of vaping.
 

UncleRJ

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I would just tell them that I quite smoking two years, three months, two weeks and one day ago.

And if they noticed that mod shaped bulge in my pocket I will just say I am happy to see them!
 

jack

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My company told me I was still a smoker , so I dropped the subject . If asked do I smoke ,the honest answer is no .
 
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Ace

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6 months is the line that my insurance company asks about. As for vaping. .. ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.
 
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Vapo

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I've heard, though I don't know for sure, that health insurance companies consider you to be non-smoker once you'd been off the stinkies for 6 months, at least, in the US.

First, is that true?

Second, how do they look at vaping, in general, as an industry?

How long before you, yourself, say you're a non-smoker?

I only ask that question because I'd quit cold-turkey for four months 14 years ago, but cravings never left me for a moment. Now, of course I still have cravings for nicotine, but in smaller doses with lower anxiety for longer periods between "needing" to vape (I chain vape out of habit, not because I NEED it).

I figured I'd use the insurance industry's 6 month milestone, but that also got me to thinking what THEY think of vaping.
My insurance company makes you swab for nicotine if you claim to be an exsmoker, you might want to see if yours does the same. If you're done with nicotine just tell them you don't smoke anymore.
 

jae

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I always answer that i quit smoking. Only my friends, my family (what's left of it), and my doctor know that i vape. Okay my boss too, but most of the managers where i work vape also (although it's officially still strictly verboten indoors).
 

Emilie

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Thanks All for your replies!

I don't have employer-supplied health insurance, so I just need to worry about the ACA's policies to be honest.
 

lordmage

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as i understand it unless there testing for the correct cotin (is that the right word) then nic use of any kind and your categorized as a tobacco/nicotine user and have to pay the higher rate.
 

nadalama

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as i understand it unless there testing for the correct cotin (is that the right word) then nic use of any kind and your categorized as a tobacco/nicotine user and have to pay the higher rate.

This was exactly my experience at our last open enrollment. I pay about $35 more every two weeks for my health insurance because I vape.
 

cheepshot

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Some policies will only ask if the primary is a smoker and/for the yearly physical but not the spouse. That's helpful for some.
 

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