Proposed Medicare Payment Increase Could Expand Access to Tobacco Cessation Support

Smoking cessation support may become more accessible if proposed Medicare payment changes encourage more clinicians to provide evidence-based tobacco counseling during patient visits. The proposed physician fee schedule would increase reimbursement for tobacco cessation counseling by 19%, alongside similar services for alcohol and substance misuse interventions.

Most people who attempt to quit smoking without support relapse, while only 5% of recent quit attempts included both counseling and medication in 2022.

The change could influence care for Medicare, Medicaid, and privately insured populations, highlighting the role of clinical systems in expanding access to proven cessation strategies. Read the full story from STAT News here.