Tobacco User Surcharge Information & Assistance

Effective January 1, 2011 the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved a $50 monthly surcharge be added to the health insurance premiums of tobacco users covered by the University System of Georgia’s Health Care Plan. The elimination of tobacco use will reduce the cost to the insurance plans and, most importantly, keep USG employees healthy.

This surcharge applies to active employees and USG retirees. It does not apply to eligible dependents.

If you smoke or use tobacco you will pay the additional surcharge of $50 per month. Tobacco use is classified as smoking tobacco in such forms as a cigarette, pipe or cigar, or using smokeless tobacco, such as snuff or chewing tobacco (nicotine chewing gum is excluded).

All employees are required to certify whether they are current tobacco users.

If an employee certifies they are a non-tobacco user and it is determined they have used tobacco products or started using tobacco products after the date of certification as a non-tobacco user, they will be subject to following including, but not limited to:

• Payment of the $50 surcharge, plus a 10% penalty, for each month since the certification

Once an employee is tobacco-free they can apply for the non-tobacco user premium by completing the Certification Regarding Tobacco Use Form or completing the on line certification.

http://www.usg.edu/hr/benefits_docs/Tobacco_Use_Affidavit_Form_2010.pdf

http://www.usg.edu/hr/benefits_docs/Tobacco_Users_Cessation_Assistance.pdf