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Resources for Providers

UKanQuit - The University of Kansas Health System
Tobacco Treatment Service for Hospital Inpatients

It is important to discharge all patients who use tobacco with a prescription for cessation medication, here's why:
  1. Nearly all cessation medications are covered by KS and MO Medicaid, Private Insurers, and Medicare. Medicare Part D plans are less generous - they all must cover some form of prescription cessation medication - but exactly which is covered varies by plan.
    See table of insurance coverage for tobacco cessation treatment. OTC medications (nicotine patch, gum, lozenge) are covered but a prescription is required. Do not select the "OTC" button when you write a script for patch, gum or lozenge - that prevents a script from being generated - and patients miss out on that important benefit.

  2. Medication gives your patient the best chance of success
  3. Chantix - the most effective cessation medication - was shown to be safe in a large trial of patients with mental illness and the previous black box warning has been removed

  4. Pharmacy Assistance Programs can provide medications to patients with no coverage but a prescription is required - Chantix, nicotine inhaler
  5. UKanQuit tobacco treatment specialists are available to work with all inpatient tobacco users and link them to care post-discharge. Providers may refer to UKanQuit with a Smoking Cessation Order or through a Request.

  6. Behavioral support doubles quit rates!

FDA Warning

In 2013 FDA removed warning regarding concomitant NRT and smoking. If patients are smoking while using patch, increase patch dose or add on gum or lozenge. Smoking is a sign of withdrawal and poor symptom relief.  Questions? Call: 913-317-6931 

View Federal Register FDA PDF

School of Medicine

UKanQuit
Department of Population Health
University of Kansas Medical Center
4125 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66160

913-317-6931
UKanQuit@kumc.edu