Should insurance companies charge smokers?

AnnaMC1977

Should insurance companies charge people who smoke MORE money? Would it be right for an employer to ban their employees from smoking, and treat cigarettes like they would any other drug like marijuana?

I think smokers should be charged extra, as their choice in doing something harmful to their body can and most likely will result in major health problems. I also think it should be banned from any and all workplaces (make it a terminable offense). OR if they are allowed to smoke, they should have to clock in and out for their breaks. It's stupid how they can take several 10-15 minute breaks/day, while the rest of us have a 30 min break at lunch.

Let's start rewarding people who make healthy decisions, and start making people who choose to damage their own bodies pay up.

emtjmac

In b4 drama.

kmeekhof

My workplace already bans smoking on campus and starting next year we get a $30 per month "discount" on insurance for meeting a number of critera including not smoking.

kr3851

I pay double (200%) on my life insurance because I'm overweight, yet a smoker only pays 150%. Both have health risks, but I don't see why I gotta pay so much more....

BonnieandClyde29

I dont agree, because I am a smoker, and at my job, i don't get to take a 30 minute lunch break, i only eat when i have the time. I am also on my way to being a lot healthier, but for the most part I am pretty healthy and dont have to take many doctor visits at all for being sick or anything related to smoking. It is a choice, and the smokers who already have major health problems are already paying for it on way or another. I am the manager at my job, and none of my guys get to take a whole 30 mins, and they understand I am a smoker, so if they want to step away from the desk for a moment, or make a personal phone call, i let them as long as everything is covered. Also, a lot of us at my job love being healthy and make healthy choices and support each other and even have competitions with each other for weight loss and staying on track.

JosephVitte

Like a lot of things in life, I think this topic is a slippery slope, my opinion at least. Although I do not smoke, my question would be: Where does it end? Do people obese get charged more? Some would say being obese is there choice. Do people with diabetes get charged more? Some get it by unhealthy eating(no all) That's my question to you, I guess: Is it just smokers who should pay more?

In the end I think a healthy persons rewards outweigh what others pay. You pay less regardless, because you don't need doc visits so often, no med's ect. My answer is more questions, sorry if that doesn't help.

Laces_0ut

smokers, overweight etc..should all be charged more.

just like teen drivers being charged more...the more risk the more you pay.

victoria4321

They should charge obese people too then. And while you're at it then they should also charge promiscuous people more as well.

Laces_0ut

They should charge obese people too then. And while you're at it then they should also charge promiscuous people more as well.

they do charge the obese more.

victoria4321

They should charge obese people too then. And while you're at it then they should also charge promiscuous people more as well.

they do charge the obese more.

Depends on the insurance I guess? I don't remember ever being asked to step on a scale before paying for my insurance.

Laces_0ut

They should charge obese people too then. And while you're at it then they should also charge promiscuous people more as well.

they do charge the obese more.

Depends on the insurance I guess? I don't remember ever being asked to step on a scale before paying for my insurance.

are you on an indiviiiudal plan? every one i have looked at asked for your weight. and that figured into the premium cost. but if you get it through work sometimes that is already factored in.

monty619

same should be said about the morbidly obese dont you think?

....fawk someone said it already. lets just hope obamacare doesnt go thru.

kimothy38

I pay an additional premium on my life insurance because I'm overweight. When I lose the weight I have to prove that I can keep it off for 12 months before the premium is reviewed. Should have done a crash diet before getting the insurance shouldn't I.

AJ_Pete

Yes. Smoking is a choice.

clehman71

This might not help, but I think my insurance company charges me more just for breathing!:laugh:

victoria4321

They should charge obese people too then. And while you're at it then they should also charge promiscuous people more as well.

they do charge the obese more.

Depends on the insurance I guess? I don't remember ever being asked to step on a scale before paying for my insurance.

are you on an indiviiiudal plan? every one i have looked at asked for your weight. and that figured into the premium cost. but if you get it through work sometimes that is already factored in.

Yes mine is through work. I work with a lot of overweight and out of shape people so I'm probably paying extra for them that means :grumble:

tmanfromtexas

I agree 1000%
I also they should charge extra for being:
fat
type 2 diabetics
motor cycle riders
sky diver
boat operator
drinker
private pilot
and any other thing that puts a person's life at risk including driving.
Its a person's right to smoke, its legal and for all you nice folks that want to push your will on u,s that do, I wish you would push your will up your anal orifice. Have a nice evening.

tigerlinly

Should insurance companies charge people who smoke MORE money? Would it be right for an employer to ban their employees from smoking, and treat cigarettes like they would any other drug like marijuana?

I think smokers should be charged extra, as their choice in doing something harmful to their body can and most likely will result in major health problems. I also think it should be banned from any and all workplaces (make it a terminable offense). OR if they are allowed to smoke, they should have to clock in and out for their breaks. It's stupid how they can take several 10-15 minute breaks/day, while the rest of us have a 30 min break at lunch.

Let's start rewarding people who make healthy decisions, and start making people who choose to damage their own bodies pay up.

i agree

mbajrami

I agree 1000%
I also they should charge extra for being:
fat
type 2 diabetics
motor cycle riders
sky diver
boat operator
drinker
private pilot
and any other thing that puts a person's life at risk including driving.
Its a person's right to smoke, its legal and for all you nice folks that want to push your will on u,s that do, I wish you would push your will up your anal orifice. Have a nice evening.

Boy, that escalated quickly. Why so angry, guy? Calm down.

bodiva88

Should insurance companies charge people who smoke MORE money? Would it be right for an employer to ban their employees from smoking, and treat cigarettes like they would any other drug like marijuana?

I think smokers should be charged extra, as their choice in doing something harmful to their body can and most likely will result in major health problems. I also think it should be banned from any and all workplaces (make it a terminable offense). OR if they are allowed to smoke, they should have to clock in and out for their breaks. It's stupid how they can take several 10-15 minute breaks/day, while the rest of us have a 30 min break at lunch.

Let's start rewarding people who make healthy decisions, and start making people who choose to damage their own bodies pay up.

My employer gave a year's warning and there will be a surcharge for health insurance for smokers as of the beginning of next year. They offered cessation aids and programs for the year so folks could try to quit this year to avoid the additional charge.

But it's a slippery slope. Charge extra for people who ride motorcycles? Have guns in their homes? Drink alcohol?

I already cannot get long-term care insurance because of my weight. It is the only thing that disqualifies me even though my mom died of Alzheimer's and I have a number of incurable but treatable chronic illnesses (not due to my weight, but in some cases contributing to it).

EmilyTwist1

Would it be right for an employer to ban their employees from smoking, and treat cigarettes like they would any other drug like marijuana?

...

I I also think it should be banned from any and all workplaces (make it a terminable offense).

So, are you saying that people should be fired for smoking in the work place, or for smoking period?

victoria4321

Would it be right for an employer to ban their employees from smoking, and treat cigarettes like they would any other drug like marijuana?

...

I I also think it should be banned from any and all workplaces (make it a terminable offense).

So, are you saying that people should be fired for smoking in the work place, or for smoking period?

People have been fired for smoking

They take too many breaks and smell bad in meetings.

dsmboy1991

I agree 1000%
I also they should charge extra for being:
fat
type 2 diabetics
motor cycle riders
sky diver
boat operator
drinker
private pilot
and any other thing that puts a person's life at risk including driving.
Its a person's right to smoke, its legal and for all you nice folks that want to push your will on u,s that do, I wish you would push your will up your anal orifice. Have a nice evening.

I do get charged more for riding a motorcycle. From this list, you must either want to pay out that orifice you want stuffed or lead a very simple life. Especially since driving is on that list.

Edit: No I don't smoke

rgrange

Ain't nobody wanna smell that nasty-*kitten* smoke.

melbellkid

We have a wellness plan at work and there are the main insurance rates and then if you are a nonsmoker then you get a discount and also if you do the wellness which has yearly requirements you have to meet. I guess it depends on how you look at it. Either getting charged more to not participate and smoke or being rewarded for being healthy.

EmilyTwist1

Would it be right for an employer to ban their employees from smoking, and treat cigarettes like they would any other drug like marijuana?

...

I I also think it should be banned from any and all workplaces (make it a terminable offense).

So, are you saying that people should be fired for smoking in the work place, or for smoking period?

People have been fired for smoking

They take too many breaks and smell bad in meetings.

It's certainly with in a company's power to have rules against smoking at work, and to fire violators accordingly. However I'm wondering if the OP is suggesting that people should be fired for smoking on their own time, away from the work place.

tmanfromtexas

I agree 1000%
I also they should charge extra for being:
fat
type 2 diabetics
motor cycle riders
sky diver
boat operator
drinker
private pilot
and any other thing that puts a person's life at risk including driving.
Its a person's right to smoke, its legal and for all you nice folks that want to push your will on u,s that do, I wish you would push your will up your anal orifice. Have a nice evening.

Boy, that escalated quickly. Why so angry, guy? Calm down.

Not angry one bit. The OP stated their opinion, I stated mine. I am just tired of people treading on my liberties because of their beliefs. There have been other threads about this same topic and to me the people that start these threads just like to start *kitten* and push their agendas.

victoria4321

Would it be right for an employer to ban their employees from smoking, and treat cigarettes like they would any other drug like marijuana?

...

I I also think it should be banned from any and all workplaces (make it a terminable offense).

So, are you saying that people should be fired for smoking in the work place, or for smoking period?

People have been fired for smoking

They take too many breaks and smell bad in meetings.

It's certainly with in a company's power to have rules against smoking at work, and to fire violators accordingly. However I'm wondering if the OP is suggesting that people should be fired for smoking on their own time, away from the work place.

Maybe, but your lunch breaks and time before you start work are also your own time. Even when you smoke at those times you'll still stink when you come back to the office. A lot of people tend to be repulsed by that.

shara85

I work for a life insurance company as an underwriter. We do charge smoker rates, we also charge smoker rates for occasional MJ use. If you have done any other illegal drug in the past 5 years, declined.
Alcohol use in moderation is okay.
We also charge extra for diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer, CAD, psych ssues, family history, travel and most avocations/aviation. Anything that puts your lfe at risk we charge more for (not health, as we only pay when you die, not if you break an arm).

BUT it is not black and white. If I see a diabetic whose A1C is 5.9 with favourable build, blood pressure and who takes his meds regularly then I would very possibly give him standard rates. It depends on the person. I can assure you that every case is looked at on an individual basis. Not saying our procedure is perfect but we do try to help the client as much as possible.

tmanfromtexas

I agree 1000%
I also they should charge extra for being:
fat
type 2 diabetics
motor cycle riders
sky diver
boat operator
drinker
private pilot
and any other thing that puts a person's life at risk including driving.
Its a person's right to smoke, its legal and for all you nice folks that want to push your will on u,s that do, I wish you would push your will up your anal orifice. Have a nice evening.

I do get charged more for riding a motorcycle. From this list, you must either want to pay out that orifice you want stuffed or lead a very simple life. Especially since driving is on that list.

Edit: No I don't smoke

My point is that the OP only brings up smoking because it is apparent they are against it. They dont mention any other things that could cause "harm" to people. They just want to tread on my liberties and I am tired of hearing of it.

Laces_0ut

I agree 1000%
I also they should charge extra for being:
fat
type 2 diabetics
motor cycle riders
sky diver
boat operator
drinker
private pilot
and any other thing that puts a person's life at risk including driving.
Its a person's right to smoke, its legal and for all you nice folks that want to push your will on u,s that do, I wish you would push your will up your anal orifice. Have a nice evening.

Boy, that escalated quickly. Why so angry, guy? Calm down.

Not angry one bit. The OP stated their opinion, I stated mine. I am just tired of people treading on my liberties because of their beliefs. There have been other threads about this same topic and to me the people that start these threads just like to start *kitten* and push their agendas.

so you think someone who engages in a higher risk activity shouldnt have to pay more for insurance? you think everyone should pay the same? they healthy 20 year old and the 88 year old obese person? the 16 year old driver will pay the same as the 40 year old?

i dont think you understand how insurance works if that is the case.