Tobacco Surcharge
What is the Tobacco Surcharge & Does it Apply to Me?
What is the Tobacco Surcharge
The tobacco surcharge applies to you and any dependents (age 13 and older) who is enrolled on your SEBB medical coverage and uses tobacco products. Tobacco use is considered the use of any tobacco products within the last two months. Tobacco products include: cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, and other tobacco products.
If you or an enrolled dependent attest to tobacco use, a $25 surcharge will be added to your monthly premium.
Products not included are e-cigarettes and US FDA approved quit aids.
**Enrolled dependents age 12 and younger are automatically defaulted as nontobacco users.
**You will not pay the tobacco surcharge if you attest that:
- Neither you nor any of your enrolled dependents age 13 and older use tobacco products.
- You and all your dependents who are tobacco users age 18 or older are enrolled in your medical plan's tobacco cessation program. Your tobacco using dependents age 13-17 are considered enrolled in a tobacco cessation program if they access information and resources found at Smokefree Teen.
I defaulted and am being charged the surcharge - what now?
Did you know that if you did not waive or select insurance coverage you are automatically defaulted into insurance, dental and vision plans and automatically have the tobacco surcharge of $25 added to your monthly premium?
- If this happened to you and you do not use tobacco products, you can login at any time to your SEBB My Account to update your tobacco use surcharge attestation. Once you attest that you are not a tobacco user, the surcharge will be dropped.
I have changed my tobacco use habits - what now?
Did you know that if you or a dependent change their tobacco use habits you can go into your SEBB My Account anytime to update the tobacco surcharge attestation?
I have stopped using tobacco products.
- You can report that change when you have stopped using tobacco products for at least two months.
- Once you attest that you are not a tobacco user, the surcharge will be dropped.
I have started using tobacco products.
- If you or a dependent change their habit and become a tobacco user, you should go into your SEBB My Account and attest to this surcharge. The surcharge will begin the 1st of the month after you make the attestation.
For Benefits Questions and Help Contact
Email: batson.katie@wenatcheeschools.org
Website: https://www.wenatcheeschools.org/hr/health-benefits
Phone: (509) 663-8162 33238