ACA Tobacco Cessation Requirement Guidance

Last week the Obama Administration issued a FAQ document making clear the tobacco cessation services that health insurers are required to cover under the Affordable Care Act. This guidance tells insurers that they must cover, without cost-sharing, screening for tobacco use and, for those who use tobacco products, at least two tobacco cessation attempts per year.  This coverage should include four tobacco counseling sessions and FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications. 

Here is a link to the guidance – the tobacco cessation information is in Question 5: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-aca19.html.  

Here is a link to the CTFK statement: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/press_releases/post/2014_05_02_obama

Victoria Almquist
Director, Outreach
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids