government

Smoking cessation programs get expanded Medicare coverage

The health reform law stipulates that approved preventive care services will be available for free to anyone who needs them.

By Chris Silva — Posted Sept. 10, 2010

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The Dept. of Health and Human Services has implemented a provision of the health system reform law that expands Medicare coverage of smoking cessation counseling to include any smoker in the program.

Previously, Medicare had covered counseling only for beneficiaries diagnosed with a recognized tobacco-related disease or showed signs or symptoms of such a disease. But the reform law stipulates that, starting Jan. 1, the program will cover any approved preventive care services for anyone who needs them, at no cost to beneficiaries. That includes tobacco counseling and other services, such as certain colorectal cancer screenings and mammograms.

The new law gives enrolled individuals access to free annual physical examinations so they can partner with physicians to develop and update personal prevention plans, which, according to HHS, will be based on risk factors and current needs.

The smoking cessation decision applies to services under Parts A and B and does not change the existing policies for Part D -- the prescription drug benefit -- or any state-level policies for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, HHS said in its Aug. 25 announcement. The new benefit will cover two individual tobacco cessation counseling attempts a year. Each attempt may include up to four sessions, with a total annual benefit covering up to eight sessions per patient.

"Today's decision builds on existing preventive services that are available to Medicare beneficiaries," said CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, MD. "Giving older Americans and persons with disabilities who rely on Medicare the coverage they need for counseling treatments that can aid them in quitting will have a positive impact on their quality of life. As a result, all Medicare beneficiaries now have more help to avoid the painful -- and often deadly -- consequences of tobacco use."

The American Medical Association applauded the policy change.

"We have long supported this expansion of coverage to all Medicare patients who smoke so all seniors can benefit from counseling that can help prevent life-threatening diseases associated with tobacco use," said AMA President Cecil B. Wilson, MD. "More than 400,000 Americans die needlessly every year as a direct result of tobacco use. This expansion of coverage takes an important step toward helping Medicare patients lead healthier, tobacco-free lives."

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn