National

State Medicaid coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments - United States, 2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) detailing state Medicaid coverage of tobacco-dependence medications and counseling. Researchers used an online survey and reviewed documentation of provided services to determine what coverage each state and the District of Columbia offered through their Medicaid programs. Analysis showed that 47 (94%) of the 51 programs offered some sort of coverage, although coverage varied greatly by state. Five states covered all U.S. Public Health Service-recommended medications and individual and group counseling. Thirty-eight states covered at least one treatment to all enrollees, but several states had limitations based on enrollment in fee-for-service or managed-care organization programs, or provided benefits only to pregnant women. The authors recommend that Medicaid programs work to keep enrollees and providers informed about coverage changes, assess remaining barriers, offer treatments without barriers or limitations, and measure treatment usage. Click here to read more.

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