As we all know, smoking is very dangerous for health, and it harms nearly every organ of the body, some that you would not expect. Cigarette smoking leads to cancer and other health problems, making it responsible for thousands of deaths in the United States.
Below we will discover what we need to Know about Smoking and Health Insurance.
What happens if you lie about smoking on health insurance applications?
Smoking and health insurance don’t exactly go hand in hand. If you lie about smoking on health insurance applications, they will receive lower insurance premiums. You may also result in the loss of some or all of your benefits (perhaps when you need coverage the most).
Moreover, insurance companies could force you to pay back some fees.
Furthermore, you may be charged with insurance fraud, which is considered a misdemeanor, and it can result in sentences of probation, community service, or even time in jail. Not to mention that you’ll very likely lose your insurance or at least be charged for all the money you owe as a smoker.
Lying about smoking on a health insurance application is not recommended or encouraged, as it can result in higher premiums or total denial of coverage.
How do insurance companies know if you are a smoker?
When you apply for health insurance, you must fill a form in which you report whether you are a smoker or not. Insurance companies usually ask two questions:
- Are you are a smoker?
- have you used tobacco products in the last six months.
Also, your answer could be verified through a routine medication exam. During this exam, nicotine can be checked by blood or urine samples. Besides, the insurer will also ask you how much you smoke; a one-pack a day smoker may pay higher rates than a person who smokes one cigarette after dinner. The insurer will still classify you as a smoker regardless.
Will the doctor tell the insurance that I smoke?
Yes, When you apply for health insurance, the doctor is obligated to report whether you are a smoker or not. Following a regular blood and urine examination, the doctor will possibly document tobacco use in the medical records. The paper trail may be uncovered and marked while the insurer examines the condition before you pay the bills.
What if I started smoking after getting health insurance?
If you already have health insurance and declare yourself as a nonsmoker, even if you start smoking, it will not increase the prices; you don’t need to worry about affecting your life insurance policy. Health insurance companies know that a certain percentage of people who are nonsmokers might start smoking one day.
Life insurance for smokers?
There are 34.2 million smokers in the United stated, despite this number decreasing over the decades. Although smoking’s negative health effects are well established, there are also other disadvantages to being a smoker. Health insurance will almost certainly cost you more if you’re a smoker.
Smoking is a physical addiction and is a psychological habit. Moreover, health insurance companies offer coverage to smokers with different terms and conditions compared to nonsmokers.
You have to keep in mind that being a smoker will make you sign up for health insurance at a higher premium.
However, This does not stop you from getting health insurance as smokers are more prone to lifestyle diseases than nonsmokers.
