I'm a smoker trying to quit. What smoking cessation benefits does Medicare offer for someone in my situation?

Question

Diana Garner · Accepted Answer

Medicare provides some support to help beneficiaries who are trying to quit.

Medicare Part B covers a variety of preventive services, and smoking cessation counseling is included. 

Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plans may cover prescription medications or nicotine inhalers and nasal sprays that require a prescription.

Robert Pennington · Answer

Some Medicare Advantage Plans provide Smoking and Tobacco cessation counseling to stop smoking or tobacco use in the Medical Benefits. Some provide counseling visits over a 12 month period at no cost to you.

Answered by Robert Pennington on April 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC, GA, SC & VA

Answered by Robert Pennington Medicare Insurance Agent

Amy Putrino · Answer

Medicare will cover 2 attempts per year. Each cessation attempt can include 4 face-to-face counseling sessions (max 8 per year). Over the counter aids, including nicotine patches and gum, are not covered by Original Medicare. They can be covered by various prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage plans (Part C). If you are looking for this coverage, just mention it and we can look for coverage to assist you.

Answered by Amy Putrino on June 9, 2025

Agent Licensed in RI, CT, FL & 11 other states

Answered by Amy Putrino Medicare Insurance Agent

Lauryn Ivey · Answer

Medicare Part B would offer counseling sessions to assist with smoking cessation, and Part D would cover any prescription medications prescribed to help with stopping smoking; but you would need to verify that the Part D insurer coveres whatever is prescribed, as they are independent companies and their formularies vary from one company to the next.

Answered by Lauryn Ivey on June 6, 2025

Broker Licensed in AL

Answered by Lauryn Ivey Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Mullen · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out. Medicare provides coverage for smoking cessation, including prescription medications and counseling services, through Medicare Part B and Part D or via a Medicare Advantage plan. You can get coverage for smoking cessation through Original Medicare (parts A and B) more specifically, through Medicare Part B, which is medical insurance. You can also get coverage under a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Medicare considers services to help you quit smoking as preventive care. This means that in many cases, you don’t have to pay any out-of-pocket costs.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or if I can be of further assistance.
Joe

Steven Bleicher · Answer

There are definitely cessation programs available for those who have found it to be very difficult to quit. You will need a doctor who knows of your health history to recommend this treatment. The best specialist in this situation ought to be a pulmonologist who is an expert in lung disease and has the records to prove it.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Yasmery Vargas · Answer

Some companies offer Support classes and, in some cases, treatment. Refer to your benefits guide to see specific details.

Fred Manas · Answer

Medicare provides benefits for individuals attempting to quit smoking, including counseling sessions &, in some cases, prescription medications. 
Smoking Cessation Counseling: Medicare Part B: Covers counseling to help you quit smoking, including individual counseling, group counseling, & phone counseling. 
Coverage: Medicare covers up to eight counseling sessions within a 12-month period. 
No Cost to You: If your doctor or other Medicare-approved provider accepts Medicare assignment, you generally won't pay anything for these counseling sessions. 
Part B deductible: The Part B deductible does not apply to these counseling sessions. 
Smoking Cessation Medications: Medicare Part D: Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) can cover prescription medications to help with quitting smoking, such as varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Zyban). 
Coverage varies: The specific medications covered by your Part D plan will vary. 
Over-the-counter drugs: Over-the-counter smoking cessation aids like nicotine patches or gum are generally excluded from Part D coverage. 
Additional Benefits:  Annual Prevention Visit: Many Medicare Advantage plans include an annual prevention visit, which may include tobacco cessation counseling. Reclassification after quitting: Some insurance plans may allow you to reclassify into a nonsmoker rate category after quitting for a period of time. 
Where to Find More Information: Medicare.gov: The official Medicare website provides detailed information about smoking cessation coverage.   Your Health Plan: Contact your Medicare Part B or Part D provider for specifics on your plan's coverage.   Medigap:  If you have Medigap (Medicare Supplement) insurance, it may offer additional coverage for smoking cessation benefits. 
To ensure you're maximizing your coverage, it's recommended to: Verify your provider accepts Medicare assignment. Confirm your Part D plan covers the specific medications. Utilize the counseling sessions. Consider group counseling.

Gary Henderson · Answer

Yes, Medicare Part B covers smoking cessation counseling, and Part D may cover certain prescription medications to help with quitting, with a focus on a combination of counseling and medication for optimal results

Answered by Gary Henderson on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Gary Henderson Medicare Insurance Agent

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

Medicare provides support for quitting smoking through Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage plans. Part B covers counseling, while Part D and some Advantage plans may cover prescription smoking cessation medications.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Deborah Webster · Answer

Your plan may offer smoking cessation coverage. Typically, the Medicare Advantage or Part C plans offer smoking cessation. You can look it up in the insurance company's evidence of coverage or call customer service, or your agent if you are unable to find the information in the evidence of coverage.

Answered by Deborah Webster on April 17, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ia & SC

Answered by Deborah Webster Medicare Insurance Agent

Ross Landon · Answer

Yes, under Original Medicare, part B covers smoking cessation programs because it’s considered a preventative service and is usually fully covered!

However, there are some limits to those programs. Usually two cessation programs a year are covered, with four visits per session, a total of eight per year!

Jennifer Dixon · Answer

Medicare provides coverage for up to 8 face-to-face counseling sessions per year for smoking cessation. These sessions can be provided by a physician, nurse practitioner, or clinical 
psychologist, and they can be part of either.
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) covers certain medications to help with smoking cessation, like:

Nicotine gum or patches

Prescription medications (e.g., Zyban, Chantix)

Carl-Daniel Cole · Answer

Medicare covers smoking cessation counseling and may cover certain medications to help you quit. These benefits are available whether or not you show signs of tobacco-related illness.

Tracy Brown · Answer

Probably but it doesn't do the work for you.  Remember Medicare Part B covers up to 8 face-to-face counseling sessions every 12 months with a doctor or other qualified provider

What is the cost? If the provider accepts Medicare: $0 (no copay, no deductible)
Prescription medications to help you quit (like Chantix, bupropion, or nicotine patches/gum**) are usually covered under Medicare Part D. Coverage and cost depend on your specific plan’s formulary (drug list) also on whether the medication is generic or preferred. Name-brand medication copays depend on paying a deductible.

Tracy's tip: Call MedWiseTrust first.  Or call your Part D plan (phone number on the back of your member ID card). Or log on to your online account, see what’s covered, and the copay.

MedWiseTrust - Preventive Visit Tie-In.  Bring up quitting smoking at your free “Welcome to Medicare” or Annual Wellness Visit—they’re required to assess your tobacco use and help you make a quit plan.

Bottom line.  You’re entitled to a personalized quitting plan including free counseling sessions, and, mostly, low-cost meds. (Depends on your Part D coverage). Medicare has your back.

Samuel Deter · Answer

Medicare part B will cover two counseling attempts per year and part D plans will cover certain prescriptions to help. However, there are Medicare Advantage plans that provide additional support for someone that is trying to quit using tobacco.

Answered by Samuel Deter on April 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in MO, AR, GA, KS, SD & TX

Answered by Samuel Deter Medicare Insurance Agent

Dennis Sullivan · Answer

Basic Medicare doesn't offer anything in particular. Smoking cessation options are available through an advantage plan as one of the preventive benefits at no cost...

Danielle Moody · Answer

That would actually depend on what type of Medicare Advantage Plan you have and if they offer that benefit.  Orignial Medicare does not offer that benefit.

Vincent Gatewood · Answer

I would recommend that you see a professional to help you from stop smoking. I can’t give advice to you about the benefits for Medicare to a smoker. I can add that some of the benefits of having a medical advantage plan. A Medicare advantage plan usually have PMO or HMO. You can consult with your primary physician.

Answered by Vincent Gatewood on April 23, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC, FL, GA, MO & TX

Answered by Vincent Gatewood Medicare Insurance Agent

I'm a smoker trying to quit. What smoking cessation benefits does Medicare offer for someone in my situation?

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I'm a smoker trying to quit. What smoking cessation benefits does Medicare offer for someone in my situation?

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