Medicaid Programs Limit Coverage for Smoking Cessation

Medicaid Programs Limit Coverage for Smoking Cessation
November 12, 2009

Research Summary

Most state Medicaid programs offer some type of coverage for smoking-cessation programs, but just two states cover treatment completely, according to research from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cardiology Today reported Nov. 5 that the CDC found that 84 percent of state Medicaid programs cover smoking cessation on a fee-for-service basis. However, 41 of the 43 programs that offer coverage charge copayments for services, 25 limit the duration of treatment, 21 require prior authorization, and 13 require patients to enroll in behavior-modification programs in order to get pharmacological assistance.

New Jersey and New Mexico are the only states that offer unfettered access to smoking-cessation services, the report said.

The findings were published in the Nov. 6, 2009 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

This article summarizes an external report or press release on research published in a scientific journal. When available, links to the sources are provided above.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Bill Godshall on 13 Nov 09 12:54 PM EST

The overwhelming majority of exsmokers quit cold-turkey, but Medicaid won't reimburse any cold-turkey cessation services. Rather, Medicaid only reimburses for cessation services using NRT or other Rx drugs (due to drug company lobbying). Both published meta analyses of NRT found that 93% of NRT users switched back to cigarette within 6 months http://tc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/12/1/21?ijkey=5.ko5/Oz4yutl and http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/apr02_3/b1024 Meanwhile, hundreds of Champix/Chantix users have reported suicidal thoughts or actions while using that cessation drug. The most effective way for federal and state health agencies and programs to help smokers quit is to encourage them to try quitting cold turkey, then to try switching to NRT, smokefree tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes.

Posted by ERRR on 17 Nov 09 01:35 PM EST

As a cessation person, I resent the use of such loose numbers by Mr. Godshall. Where did you get these numbers at in our state that is not the case at all. We do 6 month follow-up and our rates for quitting are much higher that what you say.

States Slashing Tobacco-Prevention Funding, Report Says

Mass. Smoking Program for Poor Seen as Health Reform Model

Elderly Smokers Would Benefit from Quitline with the Patch

Health Impact Project Grants

National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2006

The Physician Clinical Support System - Buprenorphine