TOPEKA – As anyone who has smoked or used other tobacco products knows, it is hard to stop.
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do.”
“I’ve tried and tried, and I just can’t quit.”
“I quit once for six months, but then I started up again when my dad died.”
These thoughts likely are all familiar to anyone who has used tobacco.
But did you know chances for successfully stopping tobacco use increase if medications and counseling are used together?
That is why a newly expanded program for KanCare patients is exciting news for people who want to quit and stay quit.
For the first time, KanCare is covering quit smoking medications and counseling, for multiple quit attempts per year. These include:
- Tobacco cessation medications, including the nicotine patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, nasal spray, Chantix or Zyban
- Combinations of cessation medications, like the patch and gum
- Counseling services, from a health care provider, to support patients while they try to quit.
- For as many times as it takes you to find the right combination and quit for good
This means if you don’t succeed the first time, it doesn’t end there. With the help of your health care provider, it is possible to try more than one option.
If you are still looking for a reason to quit, try these:
- Your health and appearance will improve
- More money and time to do the things you want to do
- Your loved ones
For KanCare patients who use tobacco, ask your health care provider about the expanded benefits today. Chances are better than ever that this time the quit will be for good.
An information card about the expanded benefits can be downloaded here for providers and their patients. Contact [email protected] to order a supply of these information cards.