Published
March 3, 2025
If Verizon deducted a tobacco, spousal, or wellness surcharge from your health-insurance premium, attorneys are reviewing whether those extra fees were charged lawfully.
Is Verizon Charging You Extra Fees for Healthcare
Did Verizon charge you extra fees (or "surcharges") for your healthcare or insurance premium? If so, you might be eligible for significant compensation. An investigation is ongoing whether Verizon has been charging surcharges on health insurance policies in violation of the law. The types of surcharges companies may have charged you for include:• Nicotine
• Wellness
• Vaccines
• Other Fees
• Spousal surcharges of around $50-$100 per month have been reported in cases where an employee's spouse has access to coverage through their own employer but chooses to enroll in the employee's plan instead. For example, one employer mentioned implementing a $50 per paycheck surcharge for non-working spouses.
• Tobacco use surcharges are common, with employers charging smokers higher premiums. Surcharges of $50-$100 per month have been typical.
• Some employers have implemented surcharges of $50-$100 per month for employees who do not complete certain wellness activities, like getting an annual physical.
Status
Open Investigation
attorneys are reviewing Verizon employee healthcare surcharges
Claim Deadline
Ongoing
no filing deadline set — submissions are being reviewed now
Estimated Payout
Varies
depends on the surcharges paid and your documentation
Proof Required
Yes
pay stubs or benefits statements showing the surcharge help
ERISA Law and Healthcare Surcharges
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a federal law enacted in 1974 that establishes minimum standards for most employer-sponsored retirement and health benefit plans in the private sector. It protects the assets of plan participants by requiring proper funding and clear disclosure of plan features. ERISA gives Americans the right to sue and protect their employee rights.Verizon Surcharges on Tobacco or Vaping
Some employers have imposed extra fees on employees' healthcare insurance premiums based on tobacco use—so-called tobacco or smoking surcharges. Allegations against Verizon (and similar companies) claim that such surcharges can add significant monthly costs (often reported as $50 - $100 per month) for smokers, effectively making health benefits more expensive than advertised.These practices have prompted class action lawsuits alleging that the fees were deceptively marketed and insufficiently disclosed, potentially violating federal rules and laws such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) law.
How Do I Qualify for a Payout?
The investigation is looking back as far as the last six (6) years. Meaning, if you worked for Verizon at any time between 2018 and 2024 and they charged you extra for your healthcare, you may have a claim and may be owed compensation.Free settlement alerts
Get notified when new class actions open to claims
Join thousands of readers who get the latest class action settlements you may qualify for — delivered straight to your inbox.
For more open class actions keep scrolling below.
