providers

Treating Patients Who Use Tobacco

Because tobacco use and dependence often requires repeated interventions, long-term support is necessary to help patients quit. Wherever a patient is in their journey, encourage tobacco cessation by:

  • Asking permission to talk about their tobacco use and readiness to quit.
  • Advising them to quit.
  • Offering brief tobacco cessation counseling.
  • Prescribing tobacco cessation medication.
  • Connecting them to additional resources, like a quit line.
  • Following up with continuous support to help prevent relapse.

Tobacco cessation counseling

Counseling is critical to the success of tobacco dependence treatment. Tobacco cessation counseling includes supporting tobacco users who are ready to quit by developing a quit plan and strategies to cope with potential triggers, as well as providing resources that support tobacco cessation. Providers are encouraged to provide counseling for at least ten minutes at every relevant visit and/or refer patients to Resources for Quitting. Learn more about tips for tobacco cessation counseling.

For patients who are not ready to quit, the CDC recommends providing a motivational message, setting expectations, and leaving the door open to future conversation. For example, “I feel strongly about tobacco use and its effect on your health. I understand that quitting can be hard, but I am here to support you. I will ask you about it the next time I see you.”

If you think a member may need mental health or substance use treatment, contact the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Access Call Center at 1-800-686-0101 (TDD: 1-800-943-2833) to refer the member. Learn more.

Tobacco Cessations medications

For most patients, a combination of pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy is required to stop smoking. There are several medications that providers can prescribe to assist with tobacco cessation. HPSM members are encouraged to talk with their primary care provider (PCP) about which medications would work best for them.

  • Medications to reduce cravings:
    • Bupropion SR (Zyban).
    • Varenicline (Chantix) AND;
  • Nicotine replacement therapy such as:
    • Skin patches.
    • Lozenges.
    • Nicotine gum.
    • Nicotine nasal spray.
    • Nicotine inhalers.

The FDA has only approved medications for tobacco cessation in adults (ages 18+). To learn more about pharmacologic cessation support for youth, visit the American Academy of Pediatric Recommendations. For more information on tobacco use and exposure in youth visit our Vulnerable Populations webpage.

Note: In order for HPSM or Medi-Cal Rx to cover the cost of tobacco cessation medicines, providers must submit prescriptions, including for over the counter (OTC) products. HPSM Medi-Cal members can get tobacco cessation products through their pharmacy benefit with Medi-Cal Rx. Other HPSM plans, including HealthWorx and CareAdvantage, also cover medicines for quitting smoking at no cost to the member through their HPSM pharmacy benefit. For more information visit, Medi-Cal Rx and tobacco cessation medication coverage and www.hpsm.org/formulary-search.

Additional resources for quitting

Combined with ongoing tobacco cessation counseling and treatment, referring patients to quit lines or other cessation support resources can help your patients quit for good. Share these resources with your patients to support them on their quitting journey.

Kick it California

A program that is proven to help people quit with coaching sessions over the phone and text reminders. To learn more, patients can visit www.kickitca.org or call:

  • English: 1-800-300-8086 or Text “Quit Smoking” or Quit Vaping” to 66819
  • Español: 1-800-600-8191 o Envie “Dejar de Fumar” o “No Vapear” to 66819
  • 中文 (Chinese): 1-800-838-8917
  • 한국인 (Korean): 1-800-556-5564
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese): 1-800-778-8440

Providers may also refer tobacco users to Kick it CA electronically (e-referrals). E-referrals are secure and easy. Refer patients today!

National Quitline

Members can contact the quit line for coaching and information on quitting smoking at no cost. Available in several languages. To learn more, members can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit 5 Ways Quitlines Help on CDC.gov.

Tobacco cessation mobile apps

These resources are only for patients that own a smartphone and can download apps. During visits, ask whether your patients have a smartphone that can download apps. If so, your patients can download the Smokefree App and Quit Vaping App.

Other programs and resources

HPSM’s Health Promotion Unit: Our Health Promotion Unit can connect our members to information, HPSM covered services and community resources that can support them in quitting tobacco. Members can call HPSM’s Health Promotion Unit at 650-616-2165 to learn more.

HPSM’s Quit Tobacco Use Member Webpage: Members can access our Quit Tobacco Use webpage, which includes information on the dangers of tobacco, benefits of quitting and resources to help quit tobacco. They can also access and read HPSM’s Quit Tobacco Newsletter.