CHICAGO (AP) — A new Illinois law requires insurance companies to offer coverage for services meant to get smokers to kick the habit.
The American Lung Association in Illinois enthusiastically backs the law. It says the law could be a tremendous help to tens of thousands of tobacco users who want to quit smoking but can't afford the services they need to make that happen.
A vice president at the state association, Kathy Drea, argues that getting smokers to quit not only improves the health of individuals: She says it reduces the several billion dollars that smoking-related diseases cost Illinois as a whole each year.
Recommended For You
The smoking-cessation programs that insurance companies would be required to offer coverage on include various medical treatments and counseling by physicians.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law on Monday.
7 barriers found in insurance plans that should be avoided to make it easier for smokers to quit (source: American Lung Association) –
- Required copayments
- Prior authorization requirements
- Limits on treatment duration
- Yearly or lifetime limits
- Dollar limits
- "Stepped care" therapy (requiring the use of one treatment before another)
- Counseling required for medications
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
