Depending on the plan, counseling sessions and medications may be covered.
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Does Medicare offer any coverage that helps beneficiaries quit smoking?
If you are ready to quit, 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 65 and older still smoke. Many older smokers say 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 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: 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 strength of cigarettes you smoke to help 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; you do not have to quit alone. Start by contacting your doctor about smoking-cessation counseling covered by Medicare and find out about prescription anti-smoking 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 NBC’s “Today Show.” The column, and others like it, is available to read via The American Legion’s Fund Development program, a way of establishing your legacy of support for the organization while providing for your current financial needs. Consider naming The American Legion in your will or trust as a part of your personal legacy. Learn more about the process, and the variety of charitable programs you can benefit, at legion.org/plannedgiving. Clicking on “Learn more” will bring up an “E-newsletter” button, where you can sign up for regular information.
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