Do Smokers have higher Health Insurance Rates?

Answer:
Most health insurance companies have several different rate tiers with smokers

falling in the higher category and non-smokers paying less. Smokers who have recently quit smoking may qualify for the lower rates with some health insurance companies after a set amount of time being tobacco-free such as one year.

Some states such as Kentucky, West Virginia, Alabama, and Georgia charge insurance surcharges to state employees who smoke. These smokers pay more for insurance than non-smokers. Companies such as Pepsi and General Mills are self-insured and have begun charging smokers premium surcharges in an attempt to lower health care costs and motivate employees to quit smoking.

The reason health insurance costs more for smokers is based on assumptions and risk. A smoker’s health is more likely to deteriorate than a non-smoker’s. In addition, lung disease is more likely with a smoker than a non-smoker and secondhand smoke can affect the health of other family members.

The insurance companies also look at costs and adjust their rates based on their histories. If they’ve found a certain population such as smokers costs them more in claims, they’ll charge that population a higher rate.


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