Travelers Health Plan Smoker Penalty Lawsuit Advances After Trim

Travelers Cos. must face a pared-back lawsuit challenging its practice of charging extra fees to tobacco-using employees who receive health-care coverage from the insurance company.

Judge Laura M. Provinzino allowed a former Travelers employee to move forward with a single claim challenging the company’s failure to inform workers that they can submit notes from their doctors that will be considered when determining how to assess the tobacco penalty. The company conceded that its health plan summary document didn’t include this information, which is required by federal regulations, Provinzino said Tuesday for the US District Court for the District of Minnesota. ...