Tobacco Surcharge Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does Crown charge a tobacco surcharge?
Using tobacco contributes to chronic and serious diseases, which results in increased health care costs. Research has found employees who smoke cost employers nearly $6,000 more annually compared to nonsmokers.
The tobacco surcharge helps Crown to:
- Support a culture of health and wellness among employees,
- Encourage employees to make healthy choices, and
- Proactively help manage health care costs.
2. What is the tobacco surcharge and how is it paid?
A tobacco user will pay a $100 per month surcharge. The surcharge applies separately to employees and spouses enrolled in the Crown Medical Program. If both an employee and his or her spouse are tobacco users, the surcharge will be $200 per month. The surcharge will not apply to dependent children or those enrolled in the Dental Program only.
If an employee is paid weekly, the surcharge will be spread across the first four pay periods of the month – $25 per pay for one tobacco user or $50 per pay if the surcharge applies to the employee and spouse.
3. What is the definition of a tobacco user?
Employees or spouses enrolled in the Crown Medical Program are defined as tobacco users if they have used tobacco products an average of four or more times per week within the past six months. Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, loose tobacco smoked via pipe or hookah, smokeless or electronic devices, and any other form of tobacco or nicotine products regardless of method of use.
4. What happens if I do not complete a tobacco use affidavit for myself or my covered spouse during open enrollment?
All employees enrolled in the Medical Program must recertify their tobacco use status annually during open enrollment. The surcharge will be withheld automatically from your pay unless you complete the affidavit and identify yourself and, if applicable, your covered spouse as not using tobacco products within the past six months.
5. What if I certify as tobacco-free but I am, in fact, a tobacco user?
During the certification process, you are attesting that your answers are true and accurate. Any case of fraud discovered will be pursued by Crown and may result in loss of benefits or disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
6. What if my tobacco use status changes during the year?
You may update your tobacco use certification at any point during the year. Remember, to qualify as a non-tobacco user, you must be tobacco-free for the preceding six-month period. If you are able to change your status from a tobacco user to a non-tobacco user, the surcharge will be removed going forward.
7. What support does Crown offer to help me quit using tobacco?
Counselors from Optum offer free coaching and support to Crown employees and their families through the Employee Assistance Program. Smoking cessation programs are available through local clinics or online to help you quit. An Optum WorkLife Specialist can help you find the appropriate resources in your area that meet your needs. To learn more, contact an Optum WorkLife Specialist at (866) 248-4096.
Crown’s Prescription Drug Program offers free smoking cessation products. With a prescription from your doctor, you can receive up to a 168-day supply of prescription or over-the-counter alternatives to help you break your addiction. These products range from patches, inhalers, and sprays to gum, lozenges, and pills. Make your purchase at the pharmacy counter with your doctor’s prescription and your CVS Caremark card to obtain qualifying products at no cost. To learn more about what products qualify, call CVS Caremark customer service at (800) 386-0479.
8. What happens if I complete a smoking cessation program?
The tobacco surcharge will be waived if you complete an approved smoking cessation program. To find an approved program, you may contact the Crown Insurance Department at (800) 884-0227 or Optum at (866) 248-4096.
Upon providing a certificate of completion, the surcharge will be removed for the remainder of the plan year. You will be required to recertify your tobacco use status before the next plan year begins. If you cannot certify as tobacco-free, the surcharge will apply again beginning in January.
9. What if it is medically inadvisable for me to quit using tobacco?
If it is unreasonably difficult due to a medical condition for you to achieve tobacco-free status, or if it is medically inadvisable for you to attempt to become tobacco-free, you may complete a medical waiver.
To obtain a waiver, you will need to provide a statement from your physician that a health condition makes it unreasonably difficult or medically inadvisable for you to satisfy or attempt to satisfy the tobacco-free standard. In addition, you may be required to complete an alternative program in order to receive a waiver and avoid the tobacco surcharge. If you obtain a medical waiver (including completion of any alternative required in connection with the medical waiver), you may avoid the tobacco surcharge for the remainder of the current plan year. Contact the Crown Insurance Department at (800) 884-0227 for more information.
Contact the Crown Insurance Department at (800) 884-0227 if you have any questions about the Tobacco Surcharge.