Costlier insurance for smokers may not come with quitting

Smokers can be charged up to 50 percent higher premiums under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Although, small group plans at companies that employ up to 100 people need to pitch in as well and offer wellness programs. Wellness programs in the individual market are hard to come by and with a pilot project for the individual market not yet up and running, most smokers will be left without assistance. Some states, however, won’t be upping smokers’ rates at all.