Does Medicare offer any coverage that helps beneficiaries quit smoking?

If you are ready to quit smoking, Medicare can help. Medicare Part B covers up to eight face-to-face counseling sessions per year to help you kick the habit and, if you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, certain smoking-cessation medications are covered as well. Here is a guide to help you get started.

It Is Never Too Late

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 8.3% of Americans age 65 and older still smoke. Many older smokers say that they would like to quit, but because nicotine is extremely addictive, it is very difficult to do.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness, causing an estimated 480,000 deaths in the United States each year. Research shows, however, that quitting, even after age 65, greatly reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis and many other conditions. It can also improve breathing, enhance smell and taste and can save you money. For example, a pack-a-day smoker spending $8 a pack saves about $240 after one month without cigarettes and nearly $2,920 after one year. 

How to Quit

The first step is to set a “quit date,” giving yourself a few weeks to get ready. During that time, you may want to begin by reducing the number or the strength of cigarettes you smoke to help you start weaning yourself off.

You should consider purchasing over-the-counter nicotine replacement products, such as patches, gum and lozenges. Even though these are not covered by Medicare, they will help curb your cravings.  Before your quit day, you should also remove all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car and place of work. It may also help to spray air freshener since the smell of smoke can be a powerful trigger.

Get Help

Studies have shown that you have a much better chance of quitting if you have help. So, tell your friends, family and coworkers about your plan to quit. Having others know about your plan can be a helpful reminder and motivator.

It may be helpful to receive counseling, so you do not have to quit alone. Start by contacting your doctor about smoking cessation counseling covered by Medicare and find out about prescription antismoking drugs (bupropion and varenicline) that can help reduce your nicotine craving.

You can also get free one-on-one telephone counseling and referrals to local smoking cessation programs through your state quit line at 800-QUIT-NOW or through the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline at 877-44U-QUIT.

It is also important to identify and write down the times and situations you are most likely to smoke in and make a list of things you can do to replace the habit or distract yourself. Some helpful suggestions when the smoking urge arises include calling a friend or one of the free quit lines, keeping your mouth occupied with sugar-free gum, sunflower seeds, carrots, fruit or hard candy, and distracting yourself by going for a walk, reading a magazine, listening to music or taking a hot bath.

The intense urge to smoke typically lasts about three to five minutes, so do what you can to wait it out. It is also wise to avoid alcohol and steer clear of other smokers while you are trying to quit. Both can trigger powerful urges to smoke. 

For more tips on managing your cravings, withdrawal symptoms and what to do if you relapse, visit 60plus.SmokeFree.gov. There are also many helpful, free quit smoking apps you can download.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.