Medicaid coverage of tobacco-dependence treatment for pregnant women: impact of the Affordable Care Act

Am J Prev Med. 2012 Oct;43(4):e27-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2012.06.012.

Abstract

Background: Twenty percent of pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid use tobacco products. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires Medicaid to cover tobacco-dependence treatments for pregnant women beginning in 2010.

Purpose: To summarize the impact of the ACA provisions on Medicaid coverage of tobacco-dependence treatments for pregnant women.

Methods: Medicaid programs were surveyed regarding their coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments after the ACA provisions went into effect.

Results: From 2009 to 2010, coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments increased from 43 to 51 programs covering pharmacotherapy treatments and from 30 to 38 programs covering tobacco-cessation counseling. States added additional coverage for counseling in 2011 and 2012.

Conclusions: To maximize these benefits, Medicaid programs need to conduct outreach to inform Medicaid-enrolled pregnant smokers of this coverage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Directive Counseling / economics
  • Directive Counseling / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Medicaid / economics
  • Medicaid / trends*
  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Pregnancy
  • Smoking Cessation / economics
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / economics
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / economics
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / rehabilitation*
  • United States