Tobacco Surcharge Coming for 2012
 Starting Jan. 1, 2012, Emory University will implement a $50 per person monthly surcharge on medical contributions for faculty and staff and their covered Spouses/Same Sex Domestic Partners (SSDPs) who use tobacco products. The goal of this surcharge is to support the health and wellness of the University’s faculty and staff by discouraging the use of tobacco products, which are harmful to health even when used in moderation.
Beginning this fall, ALL faculty and staff covered under Emory’s medical plan will have to certify annually whether or not they and their spouse/SSDP use tobacco during the Benefits Annual Enrollment period. The $50 per person monthly surcharge can be avoided if you certify that you and your spouse/SSDP:
- Have not used tobacco for the past 60 days; OR
- Are enrolled in an Emory approved tobacco cessation program; OR
- Are currently being treated by a physician for a medical condition (e.g. nicotine addiction). If this is the case, you will need to complete and return a “Tobacco Cessation Physician Affidavit Form” to the Benefits Department by Dec. 31, 2011 for the surcharge to be waived.
Please note that the new Emory University surcharge will not apply to dependent children of faculty or staff, or to Emory students who are enrolled in the university-sponsored student medical plan. This surcharge is consistent with Emory’s overall vision of becoming a tobacco free institution. In that regard, a robust program of tobacco cessation programs and Emory’s Tier Zero tobacco cessation prescription medications are available for those who wish to take advantage of them. Last Spring, the University Senate endorsed a campaign that will transition Emory's campus to a tobacco-free property by Jan. 1, 2012. Emory Healthcare implemented a similar tobacco surcharge for its employees and their spouses/SSDPs effective January 1, 2011.
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