HIP Tobacco Use Surcharge
Note: Tobacco use surcharge costs are not currently being collected. This will resume in 2024.
Do you want to quit using tobacco? We can help!
Who is a tobacco user?
A tobacco user is anyone who uses chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or snuff
four or more times a week over the prior six months.
How does the state or CareSource know if a member is a tobacco user?
- You tell us if you are a tobacco user when you join or apply for Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP).
- We may send you information about how you can quit. We may send this if you tell us you are a tobacco user on your Health Needs Screening (HNS). Answers from the HNS do not become part of your state record.
- The state may also check claims to identify members who use tobacco. Call us to change your tobacco user status. You can also follow the normal appeals process. Learn more about the appeals process.
How does CareSource help members stop using tobacco?
You can use covered benefits and services to help you stop using tobacco, such as:
- Medicine
- Web-based education and tools
- Calls with a personal coach
- Behavioral counseling
- Rewards! Learn more about rewards you can earn on your journey to become tobacco free.
A surcharge is an extra charge. You have one benefit period (12 months) to use our programs to stop using tobacco. A 50% extra change will be added to your POWER Account Contribution (PAC) for future invoices if you tell us that you have not stopped using tobacco during the 12 months.
PAC discounts are shown below. Here are some ways you can lower your PAC for next year:
- Use your POWER account funds wisely. Any money left in your POWER account will roll over and lower your PAC next year.
- Follow preventive care guidelines to double your rollover amount.
| Tier Name | FPL | Monthly PAC Single Individual | Monthly PAC Spouses | PAC with Tobacco Surcharge | Spouse PAC when one has tobacco surcharge | Spouse PAC when both have tobacco surcharge (each) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 22% | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.50 | $1.00 & $1.50 | $1.50 |
| Tier 2 | 23-50% | $5.00 | $2.50 | $7.50 | $2.50 & $3.75 | $3.75 |
| Tier 3 | 51-75% | $10.00 | $5.00 | $15.00 | $5.00 & $7.50 | $7.50 |
| Tier 4 | 76-100% | $15.00 | $7.50 | $22.5 | $7.50 & $11.25 | $11.25 |
| Tier 5 | 101-138% | $20.00 | $10.00 | $30.00 | $10.00 & $15.00 | $15.00 |
Log in to My CareSource to view claims and learn more about your plan. Questions? Call us at 1-844-607-2829 (TTY: 1-800-743-3333 or 711) Eastern Time. We can also help you learn more about our programs to help you quit.
How do I stop the surcharge once it gets added to my PAC?
You can call CareSource or the enrollment broker to let us know you have quit using tobacco.
CareSource: 1-844-607-2829 (TTY: 800-743-3333 or 711)
Enrollment Broker: 1-877-438-4479 (GET-HIP9)