You May Have Coverage for Cessation Medications

The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line may be able to help you find out whether your health insurance policy covers medications to help you quit smoking. In 2004, we surveyed Wisconsin’s major health insurers to find out what benefits and treatments are covered to help you quit smoking.

Many health plans cover a number of treatments, including bupropion (Zyban,
Wellbutrin and generic) and nicotine replacement therapy such as the nicotine patch, lozenge, gum, spray and inhaler. In fact, more insurers are covering more treatments than ever. For the more than 3 million covered lives represented in the survey, around 74 percent had coverage for at least one smoking cessation benefit. Call your insurer or review your health insurance policy to see what is covered. The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line (available by calling 877-270-STOP) might also be able to help you determine what cessation medications are covered under your insurance policy. The Quit Line offers free telephone counseling to help you quit even if you don't have insurance.

Do you have Medicaid or BadgerCare?
Medical Assistance & BadgerCare will pay for prescription stop smoking drugs. The nicotine patch comes in a prescription form, too. See your doctor to get the appropriate prescription to help you quit for good.

If you're uninsured or underinsured, there are many resources to help you access medication and counseling to assist you with quitting tobacco use. In some cases, it's free. To learn more, click here.