Does Medicare Cover Smoking Cessation?
Among the various types of cancer, lung cancer causes more deaths annually. Moreover, tobacco use is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, smoking is the leading cause of this cancer. Due to smoking, people face other health problems, which include respiratory and heart disease. According to the research, more than 34 million people smoke tobacco in the US. However, individuals can prevent these health problems by quitting smoking. Delve into “Medicare Smoking Cessation” to uncover Medicare’s role in helping quit smoking. Learn about Part B’s therapy coverage, counseling sessions, and medication assistance under Part D. Understand your costs and explore additional benefits in Medicare Advantage plans with NewMedicare.
Does Medicare Cover Smoking Cessation?
Medicare Part B includes coverage for smoking cessation therapy, among its many other preventive benefits.
You can make two quit attempts per year and still be covered. Four in-person sessions are included in each trial, for a total of twelve in a year.
In addition to counseling and other behavioral interventions, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you kick the habit. Medicare Part B doesn’t cover prescription drugs, while Medicare Part D does. There is the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to help with that.
This care is also available through Medicare Advantage plans. Part C programs, often known as Medicare Advantage plans, must provide the same benefits as traditional Medicare for enrollees.
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover prescription drugs and provide smoking cessation services that aren’t included in the basic Medicare plan.
Counseling to Prevent Tobacco and Tobacco-Caused Diseases
Medicare covers at least eight face to face counseling sessions of smoking and tobacco use, extending over 12-month. Moreover, these sessions are free of cost for you if you don’t suffer from an illness that occurs due to tobacco use, and you take these sessions from a qualified doctor or any other Medicare provider. You can talk to your doctor or health care provider to determine how much your test and medical services will cost.
Your Costs in Original Medicare
Your total costs will depend on various factors like:
- Other insurance you may have.
- Doctor fees
- The type of facility
- The place from where you get these services
In some cases, you may have to pay some or all of the costs if your doctor recommends you to get services that exceed the maximum limit that Medicare covers. To understand, you should ask why your doctor recommends the services and whether Medicare will pay for these costs.
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