Anyone else confused about tobacco use surcharges?

Employment Law Forum
1

I recently started a new job with a big company and I’m signing up for health insurance. They asked if I’ve used any nicotine products in the last 6 months, which I have. Now they want to charge me a tobacco use surcharge of $150/month. I thought that since I’m in California, they can’t do that? Am I wrong? I brought it up, but they just pointed me to their cessation program…

2

That sounds frustrating. I thought California had laws against those surcharges. Did they explain why they’re charging you?

3

Harlan said:
That sounds frustrating. I thought California had laws against those surcharges. Did they explain why they’re charging you?

Yeah, I’d love to know too. What’s a cessation program anyway?

4

@sebas
Cessation program is just a fancy way of saying they help people quit smoking. It’s kinda standard, but still… weird they just sent you there.

5

I’ve heard about this before. California does have rules about tobacco surcharges, but it might depend on the company’s policy too.

6

Palmer said:
I’ve heard about this before. California does have rules about tobacco surcharges, but it might depend on the company’s policy too.

That’s what I was thinking! It’s just so confusing. They should at least clarify things for us.

7

I read somewhere that some companies can still charge if you don’t join their quit program. Maybe that’s what they mean?

8

Ash said:
I read somewhere that some companies can still charge if you don’t join their quit program. Maybe that’s what they mean?

Oh wow, that makes sense. I guess I should check the details of their program then.

9

I had a similar issue with my last job. They charged me too until I pushed back. Sometimes you gotta fight for it.

10

Dorian said:
I had a similar issue with my last job. They charged me too until I pushed back. Sometimes you gotta fight for it.

Good to know. I might have to do that. Thanks for sharing.

11

This is such a common issue. Always read the fine print, I guess. Have you tried asking HR for more info?

12

Zyler said:
This is such a common issue. Always read the fine print, I guess. Have you tried asking HR for more info?

Not yet, but I definitely will. Thanks for the suggestion.