Health Insurance for Smokers

If you're a smoker, the good news is that you may still be able to get health insurance. However, you should be prepared to pay higher premiums for your coverage.

Significance

• Because smoking has been linked to a number of health problems like cancer, emphysema and high blood pressure, smokers typically pay higher health insurance premiums. According to Linda Cushman, a senior health care strategist with Hewitt Associates, a human resources consulting firm, smokers can result in a 25 percent increase in health care expenses for companies, compared to nonsmokers.

History

• According to Ash, an organization that supports the rights of nonsmokers, smoking was not a factor in determining health insurance rates until 1984. At that time, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners stated that 60 to 80 percent of all health care costs were related to adverse lifestyle factors such as smoking.

Misconceptions

• Insurance companies do not only consider cigarette smoking when determining rating. Any form of tobacco use, such as smoking cigars, pipes and even using smokeless tobacco, will likely result in higher premiums.