2026 KEHP Tobacco Use Declaration​​​​​

​The Commonwealth of Kentucky is committed to fostering and promoting wellness and health in the workforce. As part of KEHP’s LivingWell wellness program, KEHP offers a monthly discount in health insurance premium contribution rates for non-tobacco users. You are eligib​le for the non-tobacco-user premium contribution rates provided you certify, during the health insurance enrollment process, that you or any other person over the age of 18 to be covered under your plan has not regularly used tobacco within the past six months. “Regularly” means tobacco has been used four or more times per week on average excluding religious or ceremonial uses. “Tobacco” means all tobacco products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, cigars, and any other tobacco products regardless of the method of use. “KEHP Health Insurance Enrollment Application” refers to any method of enrolling in KEHP health insurance coverage including submitting a paper application, completing and submitting an application online, or enrolling in KEHP health insurance coverage through an online enrollment system such as KHRIS.​

Whether you complete your KEHP health insurance enrollment online or submit a paper application, you are required to certify that all attestations regarding tobacco use are accurate. By completing the enrollment process, you certify the following:

1. ​​I have truthfully answered all questions in my KEHP Health Insurance Enrollment Application regarding tobacco use by me, my spouse, and my dependents 18 years of age and over. My KEHP Health Insurance Enrollment Application accurately reflects the use of tobacco products in the past six months regarding myself and persons to be covered as a spouse or dependent under my insurance plan.​

2. If I am completing my KEHP Health Insurance Enrollment Application during open enrollment, I understand that the tobacco-user premium contribution rates will apply beginning January 1, 2026, if I answered “Yes” to the tobacco use question. 

3. If I am completing my KEHP Health Insurance Enrollment Application as a newly hired employee, I understand that the tobacco-user premium contribution rates will apply beginning on the first day of the second month after my hire date, if I answered “Yes” to the tobacco use question for non-commonwealth paid employees and up to the first day of hire for commonwealth paid employees.

4. I understand that it is my responsibility to notify KEHP of any changes in my tobacco use or that of my spouse or a dependent covered under my insurance plan, including notification to KEHP if all tobacco users become ineligible for coverage or are otherwise terminated during the Plan Year. Notification shall be made by completing a Tobacco Use Change Form.

5. I understand that if I or a spouse or dependent to be covered under my insurance plan currently use tobacco products and stop using tobacco products during the Plan Year, I will be eligible for the discount non-tobacco premium contribution rates on the first day of the month following the signature date on the Tobacco Use Change Form certifying that neither I nor my spouse/dependent(s) regularly used tobacco products during the six months prior to completion of the Tobacco Use Change Form. Both cross-reference planholders must sign the Tobacco Use Change Form.

6. I understand that if I answered “No” to the tobacco use question, and either I or a spouse or dependent covered under my insurance plan becomes a regular tobacco user at any time, I must notify KEHP and my contribution rates will be adjusted to the tobacco-user premium contribution rates on the first day of the month following the signature date on the Tobacco Use Change Form. 

7. I understand that the tobacco use question is a part of my KEHP application for health insurance coverage. Any person who knowingly, and with the intent to defraud, files an application for insurance containing any materially false information, or who conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material to the application, commits a fraudulent insurance act which is a crime. 

8. I understand that if I fail to answer the tobacco use questions truthfully, KEHP may adjust my contribution rates retroactively to apply the applicable higher tobacco-user premium contribution rates. Upon written notification, I will pay to KEHP the difference between the tobacco- user and the non-tobacco user premium contribution rates for the period for which I falsely certified eligibility for the non-tobacco user premium contribution rates. 

​9. The KEHP offers monthly discounted premium contribution rates to non-tobacco users as a part of its LivingWell wellness program. Each KEHP member has at least one opportunity per Plan Year to qualify for the discount. KEHP is committed to helping you achieve your best health. Rewards for participating in a wellness program are available to all employees. If you think you might be unable to meet a standard for a reward under this wellness program, you might qualify for an opportunity to earn the same reward by different means. Contact the Department of Employee Insurance at (888) 581-8834 or (502) 564-6534 and we will work with you (and, if you wish, with your doctor) to find a wellness program with the same reward that is right for you in light of your health status.

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