FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Although quitting tobacco can be difficult, saying goodbye to cigarettes and chewing tobacco has many health benefits. If you’ve decided to kick the habit, TRICARE covers products and services to help you become tobacco-free.
“Quitting tobacco lowers your risk for serious diseases, including lung, mouth and throat cancers, heart disease, and chronic lung illnesses,” said Stacy Usher, DNP, lead nurse consultant of Clinical Oversight and Integration for the TRICARE Health Plan. “If you smoke, secondhand smoke puts others at risk too. By quitting smoking, people who smoke and the people around them can all benefit.”
Quitting smoking is beneficial to your health at any age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After you smoke your last cigarette, your body will begin a series of positive changes that will continue for years.
Are you ready to quit tobacco? TRICARE covers services and products that can help. Read on to learn what support is available to you.
Q: What products and services does TRICARE cover to help me quit tobacco?
A: TRICARE covers these tobacco cessation products and services:
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter nicotine replacement products, including nicotine nasal sprays, inhalers, patches, gums, and lozenges
- Tobacco cessation counseling
TRICARE covers prescription and OTC tobacco cessation products at no cost to you if you use TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or a military pharmacy. TRICARE doesn’t cover these products if you get them at a retail network or non-network pharmacy. A TRICARE-authorized provider must write the prescription. Keep in mind, you must have a prescription for OTC tobacco cessation products.
You can search the TRICARE Formulary to learn more about covered tobacco cessation products.
Q: Who is eligible for TRICARE covered tobacco cessation products?
A: In the United States, you can get TRICARE covered tobacco cessation products if you’re age 18 or older and you aren’t eligible for Medicare.
Overseas (including U.S. territories), TRICARE covers these products for:
- Active duty service members
- Active duty family members ages 18 and older enrolled in TRICARE Prime Overseas
To learn more, check out the TRICARE Tobacco Cessation Program Fact Sheet.
Q: Does TRICARE cover counseling to help me quit tobacco?
A: TRICARE covers tobacco cessation counseling if you’re age 18 or older and you live in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. You must use a TRICARE-authorized provider.
However, you must use Medicare for counseling services if you have TRICARE For Life or you’re eligible for Medicare.
Q: Where can I find more resources for quitting tobacco?
A: The Department of Defense YouCanQuit2 program offers coaching, online tools, and in-person support locators to help you quit tobacco. You can also call your local military hospital or clinic to see if they offer tobacco cessation programs.
When you’re ready to quit tobacco, it’s helpful to make a quit plan. By making a plan that fits your needs, quitting tobacco is within reach.
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