Smoker's Hit on the Exchange

[Yagents]

Exchanges will charge 50% surcharge for smokers (the only surcharge allowed by law). According to E-health analysis, smokers only pay 14-22% more today. Time to switch to the bottle.....

eHealthInsurance.com Investor Relations
Smokers pay an average monthly premium of $213, 14% higher than the average monthly premium paid by non-smokers ($187)
The average monthly premium paid by women smokers ($247) is 22% higher than the average premium paid by non-smoking women ($203)

 

[STIBROKER]

Gubmint do take a bite, don't she?

 

[HealthGuy]

Yea like Anybodies gonna admit to smokin. Maybe al3 would cuz hes the only righteous one in the forum.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

I thought Al was banned. Maybe not.

 

[HealthGuy]

Righteous sheriff al3 banned wtf?"

 

[sman]

He banned himself. It was the righteous thing to do.

 

[HealthGuy]

Sman that is good stuff lol !

 

[dgoldenz]

How many smokers do we think are actually going to admit to being smokers? There is no penalty for lying so if the insurance company finds out, their only recourse would be to retroactively charge premiums as if the person was a smoker, or the person can just terminate the policy and sign up with another company.

 

[AllenChicago]

Health Insurers will still be able to rescind coverage if a person lies on the application. The process of doing so is just much more complex now (and in 2014). Appeal rights, external review of an arbitrator, etc..

Smokers will not have to pay the 50% surcharge if they're enrolled in a smoking cessation program. I suppose you could stay enrolled (and continue to smoke) forever, since your health insurance will pay the cost of the program 100%, LOL.
-ac

 

[Ann H]

So, here's a question for anyone in the know about subsidies.... Does the subsidy pay the smoker rate? Or do the taxpayers only subsidize the non-smoker rate leaving the smoker to pay the difference?