For Healthcare Providers
Providing assistance to help patients quit smoking is a proactive, preventative step that can help decrease time spent on smoking-related illnesses later. Your role is critical—and the reality is that your patients need your help. We know that patients will more likely make a quit attempt when their doctors are actively involved in advising them to quit. The National Cancer Institute and the Agency for Healthcare, Research and Quality have created patient and healthcare provider tools that will assist you in guiding your patients through the quitting process and help you better understand how to help your patients quit for good. This section provides a variety of healthcare provider tools including information on diagnostic codes and pharmacotherapy treatments available for nicotine addiction.
While most health insurance will not cover treatment for nicotine addiction exclusively, many doctors counsel patients to quit during the course of routine and acute treatments.
MEDICAID—D.C. Medicaid covers the Nicotine Patch, Nicotine Lozenges, Nicotine Gum, Nicotrol Nasal Spray, Varenicline (Chantix), and Zyban for smoking cessation.
MEDICARE—covers up to eight counseling sessions to help patients quit and nicotine withdrawal therapies as part of treatment for a tobacco-related illness or disease. Click here for complete details on Medicare coverage.
Free Help for DC Residents!!
DCTFF provides a toll-free number for District residents to call for free counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). To learn more about the DC Quitline, 800-QUIT-NOW and how to promote our free services to your patients, click here.
Order FREE Materials for Your Clinic!!
DCTFF can provide you with free Quitline promotional materials to distribute to your patients. Materials include QUIT-NOW cards, posters, and brochures. Contact us to receive those materials today!
Important Tools for Clinicians–Free Materials and Webinars on Tobacco Dependence Treatment
The 2008 U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence – Since the guideline’s release, several new tools and additional Guideline-related information have been developed and are now available online. As with all guideline materials and information, they are in the public domain and can be used without obtaining permission from the US PHS. Take advantage of these resources, provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), by clicking on the links below:
Clinical Practice Guideline. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update (PDF file, 2 MB; PDF Help)
Supplement: Corrections and Additions to the 2008 Guideline Update
General References for Guideline (PDF File, 200 KB)
References for Studies in Meta-analyses
Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians
Helping Smokers Quit: A Guide for Clinicians
Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: Slide Presentations
Slide Presentation (Overview)
Slide Presentation (Full set)—New!
Tear Sheets: Primary Care Providers (PDF File, 60 KB, PDF Help; Text Version)
En español (PDF File, 514 KB, PDF Ayuda; Text Version)
Tear Sheets: Prenatal Care Providers (PDF File, 538 KB, PDF Help; Text Version)
En español (PDF File, 514 KB, PDF Ayuda; Text Version)
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations
Webinar Trainings on Tobacco Dependence:
The Arizona Certification Program: Tobacco Cessation Intervention Skills
Association for Addiction Professionals
Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention
Mayo School of Continuing Education – Nicotine Dependence Seminar
Smoking Cessation Leadership Center
Tobacco Outreach Education Program Course: Nicotine Dependence Across the Lifespan
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health - A Medscape CME program that is based on the Guideline recommendations for treating tobacco dependence
Other Useful Resources:
U.S. Surgeon General on Tobacco Cessation
Suggestions for the Clinical Use of Pharmacotherapies for Smoking Cessation
Help Smokers Quit: Why should your state invest more in smoking cessation benefits?