People With Medicare

Smoking Cessation

What it is:

This counseling can help you quit smoking.

Why it is important:

If you stop smoking, you can significantly lower your risk for certain diseases, even if you have smoked for years.

Who is covered:

This service is covered for anyone with Medicare even if they are not diagnosed with a smoking-related illness or showing symptoms of a tobacco-related disease.

How often is it covered:

Medicare will cover up to 8 face to face visits during a 12-month period. Your doctor must order this counseling, and the counseling must be provided by a qualified doctor or other health-care professional. Ask your doctor for more information if you are interested in this counseling.

What you pay:

You pay nothing for cost of this service if you have Original Medicare and you see a doctor who "accepts assignment." Doctors who accept assignment agree to accept the amount that Medicare will pay for a visit or service (called the Medicare-approved amount) as payment in full.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan cannot charge you for this service as long as you see an "in-network" provider, meaning a doctor who has an agreement to treat people who belong to the plan. If you use a provider outside your plan's network, it may cost you money.

Learn more about Smoking Cessation Counseling on Medicare.gov.

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Information on this web site was compiled from approved materials of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.