Dear Colleagues,
July 7, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in
conjunction with Partnership for Prevention, is releasing a
new
report highlighting the Federal Employees Health Benefits program’s tobacco
cessation coverage. This case study outlines the OPM’s experience offering a
comprehensive tobacco cessation benefit for Federal employees, retirees and
their families.
On January 1, 2011, OPM announced an expanded tobacco
cessation benefit, requiring all participating health plans to offer
evidence-based, comprehensive coverage:
·
At least two quit attempts per year with each
attempt including a minimum of four 30 minute counseling sessions. This
includes proactive telephone counseling, group counseling and individual
counseling.
·
All Food and Drug Administration approved
tobacco cessation medications with a doctor's prescription.
·
These benefits must be provided with no
copayments or coinsurance and not subject to deductibles, annual or life time
dollar limits.
It is estimated that the Federal government currently spends
an excess of $1.24 billion annually on the active tobacco using population.
Approximately 60% of current tobacco users expressed an interest in quitting
and, if they would, the Federal government could save approximately $758
million annually.
This comprehensive tobacco cessation benefit has contributed
to an impressive decrease in smoking since its inception in 2011. At that time,
the Federal employee smoking rate was 19.2%. In 2012, it dropped to 17.1%. In
2013, it dropped further to 15.3%. Between 2011 and 2012, the total claims for
cessation counseling increased by 48% and, for cessation medications, by
14%.
The Federal Employees Health Benefits program covers over 8
million persons and contracts with almost 100 health insurers. While the
program has provided tobacco cessation coverage to members since 1992, it has
improved and expanded this benefit over the years. Now, based on the U.S.
Public Health Service Clinical Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence:
2008 Update, the benefit is both evidence-based and comprehensive. Partnership
for Prevention applauds OPM for its enlightened and forward-looking decision to
address tobacco use in the Federal employee workforce.
Read the full report here:
Gil
