Tobacco Premium Program
UT System will implement the Tobacco Premium Program as part of the UT SELECT Medical plan on September 1, 2012, the first day of the new plan year. It is being implemented because UT System cares about the health and well-being of its members. The use of tobacco is one of the leading preventable health risks worldwide, and the use of tobacco is inconsistent with the UT System's culture of wellness.
Tobacco User Premiums
Members enrolled in the UT SELECT Medical plan will pay a monthly premium surcharge of $30 per tobacco user per month beginning on September 1, 2012, or on the first of the month following the declaration, whichever is later. The Tobacco Premium Program will be added to the UT SELECT premium that is deducted from your paycheck.
Premium surcharges are based on three categories:
- Member $30 per month;
- Spouse $30 per month, and
- Child(ren) $30 per month.
The premium surcharge for dependent children is $30 regardless of how many covered dependent children use tobacco. The maximum premium surcharge is $90 per family per month.
A tobacco user is a person enrolled in the UT SELECT Medical plan, age 16 and above, who has used tobacco products within the past sixty (60) days.
What do I need to do?
During Annual Enrollment (July 15-July 31, 2012), you must declare whether you and/or any of your covered dependents use tobacco by signing into your account on the My UT Benefits website.
After Annual Enrollment closes on July 31, 2012, you must make any changes regarding your tobacco usage and that of any covered dependents by printing out, completing and signing the declaration form. Submit the completed and signed form to your institution HR/Benefits Office.
If you are no longer using tobacco after you have declared yourself a tobacco user, you must complete a new declaration to update your status. You must have not used tobacco products within the 60 days prior to the date on which you complete and sign a new declaration. You must make any changes regarding your tobacco usage and that of any covered dependents by printing out, completing and signing the declaration form. Submit the completed and signed form to your institution HR/Benefits Office. Any additional premium surcharge(s) associated with a tobacco user declaration will stop the first of the month following the declaration.
Read frequently asked questions.
Free Resources to Help You Quit Tobacco
The UT System is committed to helping tobacco users quit by offering our UT SELECT covered members Smoking/Tobacco Cessation Programs, Pharmaceutical Therapy and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) at no cost to the member.
Learn more about our tobacco cessation programs at our Living Well website.
Prescription drug coverage
Yes. The UT SELECT Prescription Drug plan covers the following medications at a $0 copayment when they are used for prevention and/or part of a cessation program. To receive these medications at a $0 copayment, you must have a physician's prescription for the product, and it must be dispensed by a participating mail or retail pharmacy.
- Nicotrol NS: 90-day supply in any 365-day period.
- Nicotrol Inhaler: 90-day supply in any 365-day period.
- Zyban: 90-day supply in any 365-day period.
- Nicorette Gum /Lozenge: 90-day supply in any 365-day period.
- Nicotine Transdermal System: 90-day supply in any 365-day period.
- Chantix: 180-day supply in any 365-day period.
Exception to Tobacco Use Premium
A tobacco user who has been diagnosed with an uncontrolled health factor and whose physician advises against stopping the use of tobacco should submit a statement from their treating physician. Tobacco users who qualify under this provision, will no longer be charged the tobacco premium beginning the first of the month following submission of Physician Statement. The Physician Statement Form can be submitted anytime during the year to your institution HR/Benefits Office.
