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What is tobacco attestation?

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

All State Health Plan members (employee only) must complete the tobacco attestation in order to eliminate the default surcharge of $60 a month for 2023. 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 for 2023.

Please note: 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 2023.

Tobacco users can complete a free tobacco cessation session no later than Nov. 30, 2022, to avoid the monthly $60 charge.

 

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Tobacco Users

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

Tobacco users have until Nov. 31, 2022, to attend a tobacco cessation counseling session at a CVS MinuteClinic or Primary Care Provider’s (PCP) office for FREE to receive a lower premium for 2023. Make sure your provider files under the State Health Plan for this tobacco counseling session.

After you visit a CVS MinuteClinic or 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
• Choose Self Service from the drop-down menu at the top
• Choose 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.

 

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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 CVS MinuteClinic or Primary Care Provider (by Nov. 30. 2022) for at least one cessation counseling to earn a monthly premium credit of $60	-$60	-$60
Total Monthly Employee Premium (With Credit)	$50	$25

 

 

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 hr.unc.edu/benefits/eligibility.