Counseling to Prevent Tobacco Use

Medicare Part B covers intermediate and intensive tobacco cessation counseling for Medicare beneficiaries who use tobacco, are competent and alert, and receive counseling from a qualified physician or Medicare-recognized practitioner for dates of service on or after 2010-08-25. Coverage allows two counseling attempts per 12-month period with up to four sessions per attempt (maximum eight sessions per 12 months); inpatient stays with a principal diagnosis of tobacco use disorder are excluded. Coinsurance and the Part B deductible were waived for this service effective 2011-01-01 under the ACA.

"Medicare covers tobacco cessation counseling for outpatient and hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries who use tobacco for dates of service on or after 2010-08-25."

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