Seniors who wants to quit smoking can now access services covered by Medicare as declared by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Medicare will cover smoking cessation of seniors as consented by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This act focuses on the prevention of diseases before it can even occur. It also provides comprehensive health insurance reform.
The act represents president Obama’s biggest aim to drive America’s health care system to preventive measures.
Health and Human Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stated that many Medicare beneficiaries desiring to quit smoking are deprived of the access for tobacco cessation counseling. Now, seniors and other beneficiaries can now avail these services and get over tobacco dependence with the aid of Medicare.
CDC stated on a report that there are 443,000 smoke related deaths in the U.S. Smoking accounts for many diseases, which includes heart attacks, stroke, COPD, emphysema and worst lung cancer.
In America alone, there are 46 million smokers. An estimated 4.5 million of these smokers are Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 65.
Medicare before covers smoking cessation counseling for clients diagnosed with tobacco related diseases or for those who are experiencing symptoms of the disease.
The ACA now grants access for beneficiaries who want to stop smoking with counseling to any Medicare-accepted practitioner. Beneficiaries will also have the right to use smoking cessation prescription by Medicare’s drug program.
This Medicare program allows beneficiaries to have two attempts to quit smoking per year. This includes four sessions of cessation smoking counseling.
CMS Administrator Don Berwick, MD, said that, older Americans and other people with disabilities having a wider coverage on Medicare will give positive results for these persons. He also added that Americans may now have the chance to stay away from the deadly effects of smoking.
The next proposed step of the ACA is on how pregnant women can quit smoking.
