The Real Cost of NSA Arbitration

An In-Depth Review of More Than 1.25 Million Federal Disputes

Natiuonal NSA Report Flyer

Empowering Plans: P234 – Smoking Hot Litigation: When Tobacco Surcharges Go Up In Flames

January 16, 2026

Tobacco surcharges have long been a common cost containment wellness tool for self-funded plans, but recent lawsuits are putting them under the microscope. In this episode, attorneys Kelly Dempsey and Naga Vivekanandan break down how tobacco surcharges work, why they are treated differently under federal law, and what recent court decisions mean for employers navigating wellness program risk.