A Helping Hand
Do you have a client who is struggling to stop smoking? Let them know about the Medicare Tobacco Counseling Program! Through Medicare Part B, counseling sessions are available to help individuals beat the habit once and for all.
Statistics
Every year, more than 480,000 people in the U.S. die from the effects of smoking. Sadly, it is the number one cause of preventable deaths in the country. Many people are aware of the damage caused to the smoker, but not everyone realizes that many others are also affected by exposure to secondhand smoke. It is estimated that around 41,000 people die yearly from secondhand smoke.
The Affects
While the obvious damage from smoking is the damage to the lungs, smoking actually causes damage to many other parts of the body. The cardiovascular system is particularly affected, and people may eventually develop coronary heart disease or stroke. The truth is that smoking causes harm to the whole body. Additionally, someone will notably increase their risk for other things like infertility, gum disease, colorectal cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and a decrease in bone density.
Gaining Control
To take back the reins and stop smoking for good, someone must first decide that it’s time to quit. It also helps to provide motivation by deciding on the reasons why they want and need to quit. To get started on the journey of quitting, it is a good idea to visit a doctor and get advice on how to go about quitting and what options are available to you to work through the hurdles along the way. Creating an accountability and support system is a great way to help increase the chances of success.
Medicare’s Program
Medicare can help someone gain the support they need through their Tobacco Counseling Program. Someone may be able to receive up to 8 one-on-one counseling sessions through the program. They must go through a qualified doctor who also accepts assignment to be covered. Full cost coverage may be available from their Medicare Part B plan. To qualify, someone must join the program before becoming diagnosed with any tobacco-related illness. In order to take advantage of the program before it’s too late, they should start the conversation with their doctor right away.
For clients who are ready to quit, knowing that Medicare may help cover tobacco cessation counseling can make taking that first step easier. Encourage them to speak with their doctor about available resources and begin building a plan to quit.