Tobacco Surcharge Program
Tobacco Surcharge Program for Medical Plan Participants
During initial enrollment in a Northwestern medical plan, all covered employees must certify whether they or their covered family members (including spouse/partner or dependents) used tobacco products in the past six months. If you are enrolled in a Northwestern medical plan, you will be assessed a $50 per month tobacco surcharge if you certify that you or a covered family member used tobacco products, or if you are defaulted automatically by not completing the certification during enrollment. If you do not act to remove the tobacco surcharge indicator during enrollment, the $50 monthly surcharge will be applied as a post-tax deduction on your paychecks. For more information on the surcharge and waiver options, see the online FAQs.
Alternative Ways to Avoid the Tobacco Surcharge
All employees, spouses/partners, and dependents may be able to avoid the tobacco surcharge, even those who currently use tobacco products. To learn more about the tobacco cessation program and how to earn the full reward (i.e., avoid the tobacco surcharge for the full plan year) see this flyer or contact BCBSIL at the 800- number on the back of your ID card to learn more about BCBSIL’s tobacco cessation program.