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Self Insured Policy and Procedure <br />DEFINITION OF TOBACCO USER <br />Speci£c Definition <br />A person who has smoked a cigarette, cigar, or used a pipe or chewing tobacco, snuff or <br />other tobacco product during the 6 months prior to the date he or she applies for health <br />insurance. <br />Apalication <br />Because of escalating health care costs, Cabarrus County's proposed health insurance <br />premium has risen to $531 per month for each qualified employee and retiree based on <br />the board's approval. Beginning July 1, 2007, Cabarrus County employees will be <br />required to pay the employee portion of the health care benefit premium of $50 a month, <br />or $25.00 a paycheck. Cabarrus County's employee health insurance plan will offer a <br />10% discounted rate to non-tobacco users keeping their monthly contribution to the <br />health insurance premium at $0. <br />Employees and retirees who enroll in Cabarrus County plans during open enrollment will <br />enroll as either a tobacco user or anon-tobacco user by certifying their status in an <br />affidavit. To receive the non-tobacco use discount, employees must complete the <br />affidavit. <br />Current tobacco users may receive the non-tobacco use discount, if they enroll in a <br />smoking cessation class, such as the county-sponsored QuitSmart class, during March or <br />Apri12007 and remain tobacco free at the time of open enrollment. <br />Employees and retirees who are current tobacco users will have another opportunity to <br />receive non-tobacco use status in January 2008, if they participate in acounty-sponsored <br />QuitSmart class or another certified tobacco cessation program from May 2007 to July <br />2007 and remain tobacco free after six months. To qualify for the discounted rate in <br />January 2008, employees and retirees must submit a certificate of completion from a <br />smoking cessation program and a signed affidavit. <br />When the County's Health and Wellness Manager receives the affidavit, the non-tobacco <br />use discounted rate will. be applied. Each year during open enrollment, employees will be <br />asked to affirm whether they are a tobacco user ornon-tobacco user. The employee <br />contribution toward the'health insurance premium will be determined each year prior to <br />open enrollment. <br />Employees who falsify the tobacco use affidavit, will be subject to disciplinary action up <br />to and including dismissal in accordance with the Cabarrus County Personnel Ordinance. <br />~-.? 3 <br />