NAP- Neighborhood Alliance of Pawtucket

Stop Smoking Medication Supports Now Covered in Medical Benefits

Passage of Regulation 14 Increases Access to Tobacco Cessation Programs
The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) applauds the recent
passage of Regulation 14, which requires that health insurers offer more
options for tobacco cessation programs that are a covered benefit. It is
expected that this new regulation will help Rhode Islanders be more
successful in attempts to quit smoking.

"Each year, tobacco use claims the lives of more than 1,600 adult
smokers in our state and adds $506 million to healthcare-related costs,"
said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. "Each person that is
trying to quit is unique. By offering more variety in treatment
strategies that are covered by health insurance, we are giving more
options to help them succeed and be tobacco free."
The Rhode Island Tobacco Control Program (RITCP) provides a Quitline
service for Rhode Islanders (1-800-TRY-TO-STOP). RITCP also partners
with the Rhode Island Health Centers Association to provide tobacco
cessation services for the uninsured tobacco users in the state.

In addition, The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, a
statewide cancer coalition funded by HEALTH, has a prevention workgroup
whose objectives and strategies regarding tobacco are coordinated with
RITCP's Annual Action Plan.

Certain prescription medications and outpatient counseling will now be
included as covered tobacco cessation benefits. In addition, the new
regulation will: --Establish uniform standards for cessation treatment
coverage --Include recent clinical practice guidelines in definition of
cessation treatments --Improve transparency of tobacco cessation
coverage for Rhode Island 's insured population

For more information on the new regulation, go to:
http://www.ohic.ri.gov/Regulation14Tobacco.php

Pam Wilson
Manager
The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island
3 Capitol Hill, Room 408
Providence, RI 02908
Tel:  401-222-7899
pamela.wilson@health.ri.gov
http://www.cancercoalition.ri.gov