Beginning July 1, 2008, the Department of Social and Health Service medical programs’ coverage will expand to include a new smoking cessation benefit for clients.
The new benefit, which can include free counseling and prescription drugs, represents a major advancement in public health in Washington state. Below is a brief overview of the way the benefit works and the services available for clients in DSHS fee-for-service program.
For clients enrolled in managed care, contact your health plan for information regarding the smoking cessation benefit.
Client/Provider access
Call/refer to the toll-free Washington State Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669); 1-800-2NO-FUME in Spanish (1-800-266-3863).
Free services available for clients
— Phone counseling and follow-up support calls through the Quit Line.
— Nicotine patches or gum through the Quit Line, if appropriate.
— Prescription medications recommended by Quit Line and prescribed by individual physicians, if appropriate.
Provider guidelines
— Refer all clients to the Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
— Review the DSHS-approved smoking cessation program provider recommendations for writing a smoking cessation prescription.
— Complete the DSHS-approved smoking cessation program contraindication evaluation tool for each client.
— Review medication recommendation from the Quit Line and write prescription, if appropriate.
Medicaid will reimburse physicians for the following services
— Smoking cessation referral visits (Note: Physicians will only be reimbursed if smoking referral is the sole reason for the entire visit).
— Review of prescription medication recommendation, write and fax prescription if appropriate.
Client eligibility
— All clients 18 years and older and all pregnant women regardless of age who are enrolled in a DSHS medical program are eligible for smoking cessation services through the Tobacco Quit Line.
— Clients enrolled in the Family Planning Only, Alien Emergency Medical, and Take Charge programs are not eligible for prescription drugs and smoking cessation services provided by the primary care provider. These clients are eligible for services from the Tobacco Quit Line.
Washington State Tobacco Quit Line background
— All Washington state residents are eligible for free cessation help through the Quit Line, including free information, counseling, a personalized quit plan, local quitting resources, quit kits and a supply of NRT, if appropriate.
— The Quit Line is an evidence-based approach to quitting smoking. Research shows that calling the Quit Line can double a person’s chances of quitting successfully.
Additional information
— For more information about the Medicaid cessation benefit, call DSHS at 1-800-562-3022.
— For more information about the Tobacco Quit Line, visit www.Quitline.com
— For more information for providers and to order brochures and business cards, visit www.tobaccoprc.org/TCRC
