Expand coverage of Tobacco Cessation Services

Massachusetts' Medicaid program, MassHealth, provides excellent coverage to help smokers and other tobacco users quit. MassHealth's smoking cessation benefit provides full coverage of FDA-approved medicines and counseling to help people quit, for as many times as it takes.

The gap exists because access to services is limited to medical providers, despite many tobacco users, especially those in the behavioral health system, have more interactions with other health care providers. TFM aims to extend tobacco cessation services within MassHealth to dentists, behavioral health providers, and others working with those most affected by tobacco.

Expanding the health providers who assist smokers and tobacco users with quitting, enhances access to cessation services and promotes health equity.

The MassHealth smoking cessation benefit was a huge success when it was introduced in Fiscal Year 2007. It's time to include all care providers, including dentists and behavioral health providers to ensure that we are reaching everyone who needs help. Closing the loophole would enable certified professionals in these fields to counsel and bill for, tobacco cessation for their MassHealth patients.