National Working Group for ACTTION

(Access to Coverage of Tobacco Treatment In Our Nation)

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Insurance Coverage

The CDC , U.S. Public Health Service , and the National Business Group on Health have recommended that every tobacco user have access to comprehensive, evidence-based benefits that give them the best chance to successfully quit. As defined by the CDC a comprehensive tobacco cessation benefit includes:

  • Coverage of at least four counseling sessions (individual, group, or telephone) of at least 30 minutes each.
  • Coverage of all FDA-approved prescription and over-the-counter medications.
  • Coverage of both counseling and medications for at least two quit attempts per year.
  • Elimination or minimization of co-pays or deductibles for counseling and medications.

Coverage Recommendations

  • Ensure that all insurance, managed care and employee benefit plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, contain comprehensive coverage for effective smoking cessation programs – IOM Blueprint
  • Eliminate cost and other barriers to treatment for underserved populations, particularly the uninsured and populations disproportionately affected by tobacco use – CDC Best Practices
  • Cover treatment for tobacco use under both public and private insurance, including individual, group and telephone counseling, and all FDA-approved medications – CDC Best Practices
  • Provide coverage for treatments shown to be effective in the Guideline in public and private health benefit plans – PHS Clinical Practice Guideline

In The News RSS

  1. Mar 08, 2010
    No Smoking Day
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  2. Mar 04, 2010
    Utah Increases Tobacco Tax by $1
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  3. Mar 04, 2010
    Free Blackberry Helps You Quit Smoking
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  4. Feb 24, 2010
    Florida Smoker NOT Getting All She Had Hoped For
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Key Dates RSS

  1. April 27-28, 2010: Promising Practices: Achieving Health and Social Equity in Tobacco Control
  2. April 5-11, 2010: National Public Health Week
  3. March 24-24, 2010: Kick Butts Day
  4. March 6-8, 2010: 13th Annual Health Education Advocacy Summit

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