If you are a tobacco/nicotine user, a $75 monthly surcharge will be added to your medical /Rx contributions beginning January 1st, 2025, through December 31st, 2025. This surcharge can be removed by completing the Aetna “Say Goodbye to Tobacco” pathways. Not only will completing these pathways help you save on your biweekly medical/Rx contributions, but you will also begin your journey towards breaking your tobacco/nicotine habits.

To complete this program, visit Aetna.com and log in to your member portal. Within the member portal, select “Well Being Resources” and choose the “Say Goodbye to Tobacco” Pathway. Within the Pathway, there are 4 goal-oriented steps. All 4 steps must be completed in their entirety before June 30th to have the surcharge removed.

What Are the Goals of This Program? The tobacco cessation program focuses on avoiding triggers and learning how to replace the habit. The pathway includes various phases such as contemplation, ready to quit and quit. During the contemplation phase, Pathways provides members with educational support. Once members progress to the ready phase, Pathways will introduce new habits to help displace tobacco consumption.

How Long Will This Program Take to Complete? The duration of the tobacco cessation pathway varies depending on the goals set, which are dynamic based on the pathway type. However, the minimum duration is 6-weeks, but may be longer. Be sure to begin your journey well before June 30th!

Deadline to Complete: Employees have until June 30th, 2025, to fully complete the Aetna “Say Goodbye to Tobacco” pathways. If you complete the full program by June 30th, 2025, you will be reimbursed back to January 1st, 2025, the difference between tobacco/nicotine free contributions and tobacco/nicotine user contributions. Additionally, starting July 1st, 2025, your biweekly contributions will be changed to the non-tobacco/nicotine user contributions.