Smoking and Healthcare

quip

BANNED
Banned
While re-enrolling in my company's healthcare plan I once again come across their smoking clause (where your paycheck deduction doubles as a smoker.) Which stated: Do you smoke as described below...which was absent from the web sight. :idunno:

Anyway, since I enjoy my pipe only two to three times a week I entered myself as a non-smoker.

But it made me think, why just ask whether I smoke or not? Why not ask if I eat fast-food more than once a week or imbibe alchoholic beverages more than once a day...perhaps enjoy skydiving, motorcycling, recreational sex or other possibly "risky" activities.

If not, what right do they have asking about personal activities to begin with?

Especially interested in the Libertarian view regarding this.
 

Rusha

LIFETIME MEMBER
LIFETIME MEMBER
Hall of Fame
It’s common for health insurance companies to charge a higher premium for smokers. While smoking isn’t the *only* habit that leads to bad health, it’s one of the most common causes.
 

quip

BANNED
Banned
It’s common for health insurance companies to charge a higher premium for smokers. While smoking isn’t the *only* habit that leads to bad health, it’s one of the most common causes.

Sure I get that smoking is not exactly healthy... though if they're going to delve into personal matters due to bottom line considerations, why stop at cigarettes? There's plenty of "unchecked" risky behavior out there. If it's a matter of personal privacy...why is smoking excluded?
 

Halster

New member
Insurance companies focus on smoking because of the well-documented health risks, but I get your point, there are plenty of other risky behaviors they don’t factor into premiums. Alcohol consumption, poor diet, and even extreme sports could arguably impact overall health just as much. It does feel a bit selective sometimes.

For me, switching to vaping has actually helped cut down on smoking. I used to go through a pack every couple of days, but now I stick to pod systems like the Caliburn A3. It’s been a smoother transition and definitely feels like a better alternative.
 
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Idolater

"Matthew 16:18-19" Dispensationalist (Catholic) χρ
Insurance companies focus on smoking because of the well-documented health risks, but I get your point—there are plenty of other risky behaviors they don’t factor into premiums. Alcohol consumption, poor diet, and even extreme sports could arguably impact overall health just as much. It does feel a bit selective sometimes.

Don't smoking and being fat and sedentary have similar long term health outcomes? I mean aren't they both similarly harmful? If you're fat and sedentary, you're not going to have good long term health, and it's similar for smoking a lot. That's my understanding. Seems like they should test you physically to see that you're not sedentary, along with asking about smoking. It's usually put more broadly to include any tobacco use. But if you're both fat and sedentary, AND a heavy smoker, then your premiums should probably like quadruple.
 

Nick M

Reconciled by the Cross
LIFETIME MEMBER
Hall of Fame
Don't smoking and being fat and sedentary have similar long term health outcomes?
Inhaling particulates into your lungs is not a good thing. No doubt about it. Neither is the process of getting fat. Excess fat in and of itself is not an issue. Unless you are one of the land whales that weighs 600 lbs. You know the ones. The social media post that made me laugh.

Insulin resistance and the chemicals consumed is leading to disaster in the US. Metabolic syndrome is the cause and the process. I don't consider a pipe or cigars the same as cigarettes. But that is my opinion, not the insurer's policy.
 
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ok doser

lifeguard at the cement pond
Inhaling particulates into your lungs is not a good thing. No doubt about it. Neither is the process of getting fat. Excess fat in and of itself is not an issue. Unless you are one of the land whales that weighs 600 lbs. You know the ones. The social media post that made me laugh.

Insulin resistance and the chemicals consumed is leading to disaster in the US. Metabolic syndrome is the cause and the process. I don't consider a pipe or cigars the same as cigarettes. But that is my opinion, not the insurer's policy.
I was listening to something on the radio tonight that made me ask myself do I like fatty foods. And I don't in general, I tend to trim all the fat off meat when I eat meat. Then I started laughing because I put butter on everything. Can't get more fat than butter
 
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