Georgia Health Plans Present Insurance Surcharge "Stick" To Encourage Employees To Quit Smoking

Smokers Surcharge May Be Having An Effect by Andy Miller.  Georgia Health News.  April 8, 2013.

The number of Georgia state employees who pay the $80 a month insurance premium fee has dropped by 44% from January 2007 to January 2013.  This surcharge is required if an employee or covered dependent smokes.  The article details the carrots and the sticks under the program, relates it to national trends, and presents of costs of smoking to Georgia e.g. $1.8 billion in health care costs every year among Georgians 18 and older