Tobacco Policy and Certification

Texas law authorizes ERS to charge a premium to any person enrolled in a Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) health plan who uses tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and any vaping products. ERS’ tobacco policy provides an incentive for health plan participants to stop using tobacco products and supports ERS’ efforts to promote healthy behaviors. Learn more about the tobacco policy and certification requirements at Tobacco Policy FAQs.

Certify your tobacco use or non-use through ERS OnLine:

1. Log in to your ERS OnLine account.
2. Click "Tobacco User Certification" (under “My Insurance Information”).
3. Check "No" or "Yes" to indicate your tobacco use status. Do the same for all dependents enrolled in a GBP health plan.
4. Check the box confirming you understand the certification agreement and click “Save." 

You also can certify by calling ERS toll-free at (866) 399-6908.

No longer using tobacco?

If you or any covered dependent has not used tobacco products five times or more in the previous three months, you can change the tobacco use status through your ERS OnLine account. Log in and click the Tobacco User Certification link.

Choose to Quit Tobacco Premium Alternative

The Choose to Quit program encourages a tobacco-free lifestyle. Once you complete an individualized plan and submit a Choose to Quit certification form signed by your doctor, ERS waives the tobacco user premium for the plan year.

Reporting Tobacco Fraud

If you have witnessed someone insured through the GBP, including a dependent, using a tobacco product five or more times within the past three consecutive months, please report this information to ERS. Click here to report tobacco fraud.