In response to the growing need for statewide comprehensive tobacco cessation coverage, the Minnesota Cancer Alliance recently developed the Cessation Benefits Project Team.

The project team’s goal is to increase the percentage of Minnesota tobacco users who have coverage for cessation services, including counseling and pharmacotherapy by:

 
1) Challenging and engaging all insurers, employers, and purchasers to include evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment as part of their basic health benefits package

2) Publicly recognizing health insurance plans and health care facilities that meet or exceed smoking cessation guidelines

Action steps include compiling return-on-investment data with a focus on local data, identifying self-insured employers without cessation coverage and providing recognition awards for employers with this coverage. For example, all Minnesota state employees now have cessation coverage without a co-pay, which is something to commend.

Ideally, the group would like to change benefit policies during the current benefit cycle. Strategic initiatives are currently underway with several targeted companies. While universal health care is being discussed, cessation would not be covered under the proposed universal health care plan.