Tobacco & Working Spouse Surcharges
Tobacco/Nicotine Surcharge
Envision cares about all teammates’ health. The purpose of the Tobacco/Nicotine Cessation Policy is to encourage teammates to lead healthy lifestyles.
Use of tobacco/nicotine products has been proven to lead to increased health risks. Through this policy Envision discourages tobacco/nicotine use by assessing an additional nonrefundable charge of $150 per month on medical premiums for tobacco/nicotine users. This charge is referred to as the “Tobacco/Nicotine User Premium.”
Tobacco products include e-cigarettes/vaping, cigarettes, pipes, smokeless tobacco, chewing tobacco and cigars.
Any teammate who indicates during enrollment that they or their covered spouse/domestic partner has used tobacco/nicotine products within the last 90 days will be assessed a Tobacco/Nicotine User Premium of $150 per month in addition to the regular monthly premium associated with your medical plan election.
Note: If both the teammate and their covered spouse/domestic partner use tobacco/nicotine, only one $150 monthly additional premium will apply.
In order to avoid incurring the Tobacco/Nicotine User Premium, teammates must:
- Certify that they and their covered spouse/domestic partner have not used tobacco/nicotine products for the previous 90-day period, or
- Complete the Reasonable Alternative Compliance Program.
In addition, under certain special circumstances, a medical waiver may also be available. Contact the Benefits Center at 1-844-771-9332 for more information.
Reasonable Alternative Compliance Program
If you or your spouse/domestic partner wish to complete the Reasonable Alternative and avoid or remove the Tobacco/Nicotine User Premium, you must complete the Tobacco Cessation Course and submit the Certificate of Completion, along with the Tobacco/Nicotine Affidavit Form to The Benefit Center. If you or your spouse/domestic partner complete the Reasonable Alternative (Envision's Tobacco Cessation course), then the Tobacco/Nicotine User Premium will be removed for the remainder of the plan year, following 1–2 pay periods to allow for processing the removal of the Tobacco/Nicotine User Premium.
Click the button above, choose the Tobacco Cessation Program, and then "Add to Cart." There will be zero charge at check-out - this simply allows you to register for the course so you can receive your certificate.
If You Stop Using Tobacco and/or Nicotine for 90 days or more:
If you and your spouse/domestic partner both stop using tobacco and/or nicotine for 90 days or more, you are able to attest to this and have the premium removed going forward, following 1–2 pay periods to allow for processing the removal of the Tobacco/Nicotine User Premium. For more information, contact the Benefits Center at 1-844-771-9332.
Working Spouse Surcharge
Envision Healthcare believes that every employer bears the responsibility of providing medical benefits to its own employees. Employees’ spouses/domestic partners who have access to medical coverage that meets the Affordable Care Act (ACA) minimum guidelines through their employer (“Other Medical Coverage”) will be subject to a $150 nonrefundable monthly surcharge if they choose to have their spouse/domestic partner remain on the Envision Healthcare medical plan. The surcharge will be added to the premium amounts owed upon enrollment in the Plan. This change will allow Envision Healthcare to maintain affordable coverage for its teammates and spouses/domestic partners who have no Other Medical Coverage, along with dependent children.
How do I complete the process?
During your benefits enrollment process, if you elect coverage for a spouse or domestic partner, you will be asked to select the option that pertains to you.
The Working Spouse Surcharge will apply if:
- Spouse/Domestic partner IS eligible for Other Medical Coverage.
The Working Spouse Surcharge will not apply in the following scenarios:
- Spouse/Domestic partner is not employed elsewhere or is self-employed and does not provide Other Medical Coverage to any employees.
- Spouse/Domestic partner is employed part-time and/or is not eligible for Other Medical Coverage.
- Spouse/Domestic partner is employed and eligible for medical coverage from their employer, but that coverage does not meet ACA minimum guidelines.
- Both you and your spouse/domestic partner work for Envision Healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Working Spouse Surcharge?
It is a surcharge for a teammate’s spouse/domestic partner who has access to Other Medical Coverage through another employer but chooses to enroll in Envision Healthcare’s medical plan. The cost is $150 per month.
2. How do I know if the working spouse surcharge will affect my spouse/domestic partner?
The surcharge affects any teammate’s spouse/domestic partner who has access to Other Medical Coverage through another employer but instead chooses to enroll in Envision Healthcare’s medical plan. This does not apply to a teammate’s spouse/domestic partner who is not currently working or is not eligible to participate in their employer’s medical plan.
3. How do I show my spouse cannot receive benefits from their employer or doesn’t have an employer to receive benefits from?
You will provide this information during the enrollment process for a new hire, life event or Annual Enrollment. You will see a question related to a spouse when you elect your medical plan.
4. If my spouse’s/domestic partner’s benefits change, will they be able to enroll in Envision Healthcare’s benefits mid-year?
Yes. If your spouse/domestic partner has changes to their benefits during the year, you will be allowed to add or remove your spouse to/from Envision Healthcare’s benefits. The Working Spouse Surcharge will begin or be removed based on the details of the change to your spouse’s/domestic partner’s benefits coverage.
5. Do I need to complete the questionnaire if my spouse/domestic partner will not be covered by Envision Healthcare?
No. The questionnaire will only be visible if a spouse/domestic partner is added to the medical benefit in the Benefitsolver enrollment website.
6. What if both my spouse/domestic partner and I work at Envision Healthcare?
The Working Spouse Surcharge only requires working spouses who have access to medical coverage by another employer to pay the surcharge. Families with both spouses working at Envision will be unaffected by this surcharge.
7. If my spouse/domestic partner's coverage changes during the year can the surcharge be removed? Yes, contact the Benefits Center at 1-844-771-9332 for assistance with removing the surcharge. Note, the surcharge will be removed prospectively within 1-2 pay periods of the date the Benefits Center is contacted.
