States Should Fund Quit-Smoking Treatments: Experts
Nov. 13 -- THURSDAY, Nov. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Lives and money are being wasted because most states aren't doing enough to make it easy for smokers to access comprehensive anti-tobacco treatments, according to an American Lung Association report released Thursday.
Comprehensive coverage includes open access to seven smoking-cessation medications and three forms of counseling that are recommended to treat nicotine addiction by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The medications include over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies and two non-nicotine prescription drugs bupropion (Welbutrin, Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix). Counseling should include at least four individual, group or telephone therapy sessions lasting no less than 10 minutes each, according to the HHS.
Recent studies suggest that lifetime savings in tobacco-related health costs for every former smoker total more than $20,000, the American Lung Association said. In addition, employers and insurance plans could save up to $210 per year for every covered smoker who quits. Among pregnant women who quit smoking, there's a potential health care system cost savings of $881 for each premature birth that's prevented.
The American Lung Association is urging each state to provide all Medicaid recipients and state employees with comprehensive, easily accessible tobacco-cessation medications and counseling. States need to eliminate artificial barriers such as co-pays, limits on the length of treatment, and prior authorization requirements, which can make it difficult for smokers to get the help they need, the group said.
Furthermore, private insurance plans should offer comprehensive smoking cessation coverage and states should require all insurance companies to cover these treatments.
The lung association reports that:
- Only eight states (California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota and Rhode Island) have laws or regulatory standards requiring insurance companies to provide cessation coverage.
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