What is tobacco attestation?

Tobacco attestation is the section of the enrollment process for the State Health Plan that asks about your tobacco use.

All State Health Plan members must complete the tobacco attestation in order to eliminate the default surcharge of $60 a month for the next year’s premiums. This attestation ONLY applies to the employee, not to the spouse or dependents.

Members who do not complete the tobacco attestation during Open Enrollment will be charged the monthly $60 tobacco surcharge.

Even if you completed the tobacco attestation during last year’s Open Enrollment or recently as a new hire, you must make a new attestation during this year’s Open Enrollment to receive the $60 monthly premium credit (that is, to not pay the monthly surcharge) for 2024.

Tobacco users can complete a free tobacco cessation session no later than Nov. 30, 2023, to avoid the monthly $60 charge.

Tobacco Users

This section only applies to employees, not to spouses or dependents.

Tobacco users have until Nov. 30, 2023, to attend a tobacco cessation counseling session at a Primary Care Provider’s (PCP) office for FREE to receive a lower premium for 2024. Make sure your provider files under the State Health Plan for this tobacco counseling session.

After you visit a PCP for your tobacco cessation session, the provider will submit a claim on your behalf. Be sure to request a copy of your visit summary during your counseling session to hold as verification.

You can also upload your office visit summary to the Document Center located in the State Enrollment Portal:

• Log in to ConnectCarolina Self Service
• Click on the My Benefits tile
• Choose Benefits Enrollment on the left
• Choose State Enrollment Portal
• Click Document Center on the left

Please note:

• If you combine your tobacco cessation visit with another service, there may be a copay.
• Since members can see a PCP for the tobacco cessation counseling session, waivers will no longer be given to members who live more than 25 miles away from a CVS MinuteClinic.

Tobacco Attestation Credit by Plan Type

Tobacco Attestation Premium Credit	80/20 PPO Plan	70/30 PPO Plan
At time of enrollment employee-only monthly premium	$110	$85
*Attest to being a non-tobacco user or agree to visit a provider (by Nov. 30. 2023) for at least one cessation counseling to earn a monthly premium credit of $60	-$60	-$60
Total Monthly Employee Premium (With Credit)	$50	$25

For more information

For more about tobacco attestation, see Tobacco Attestation Information on the Office of State Human Resources Annual Enrollment website.

This information applies only to UNC-Chapel Hill benefits-eligible permanent employees (permanent full- and part-time SHRA, EHRA Non-Faculty and Faculty working a minimum of 20 hours a week). For more information about benefits eligibility, please visit the Benefits Eligibility webpage. Eligible temporary employees working 30 hours or more per week, may be eligible to enroll in the State Health Plan’s High Deductible Health Plan. Eligible temporary employees will be notified by a UNC Benefits email. Visit the Health Insurance page of the HR at UNC website for more information.