According to the Public Health Service Guidelines, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, the 5 A's are the recommended standard of care.

ASK about tobacco usage at all visits.
 
ADVISE all tobacco users to quit.

ASSESS willingness to attempt quitting.

ASSIST tobacco users by providing counseling and medications.

ARRANGE for follow-up.
 

The Facts

• Tobacco usage is now considered to be a chronic relapsing disease.
• Seventy percent of all current smokers express a desire to quit but perceive barriers.
• Patients do appreciate your advising them to quit but they need more help to get it done.

What We Can Do For You

• We provide a free smoking cessation program for your patients. When your patient enrolls in our cessation program, you will receive a courtesy letter from the CTC.
• We tailor individualized quit programs for your patients.
• We monitor and treat nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
• We can provide individualized long-term treatment plans to assist you in weaning your patient from NRT/Wellbutrin/Chantix therapy.

There are seven FDA-approved medications for smoking cessation. Click here for a Stop Smoking Medication Chart.

Education and Training Opportunities

• Quarterly full day, free tobacco cessation training for healthcare providers. Call for training dates 516-466-1980. (CME, CASAC, Nursing Credits and Respiratory Therapy Credits awarded)
• Click here to view conference brochure for February 10, 2012. 
• Free tobacco control training in Nassau and Suffolk Counties offered at your practice site. We will provide brochures, resources, educational material and inservice for your entire staff. Please call to schedule an appointment. 516-466-1980

Fax to Quit program

• The New York State Smokers' Quitline Fax to Quit program for healthcare providers:
  • Download Fax to Quit form (PDF) here.
• Ask your patient to fill out the form and fax it toll free to: 1-866-QUIT FAX
• A smoking cessation specialist at the NYS Smoker's Quitline will call and counsel the patient and fax follow-up information to you

NYS Smoker's Quitline (1-866-NY QUITS)

The Quitline Will Provide FREE:

• Practical quitting advice and counseling
• Quit kits with free NRT to eligible smokers 
• Referral to local stop smoking programs 
• Patient contact reports to physician 

Medicare

Effective January 1, 2008, Medicare has changed the Smoking and Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling Services' Billing Codes. Click here to read more and view the new reimbursement rates for: Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Rockland. 

Medicaid

• Medicaid coverage for Stop Smoking Medications- Healthcare Provider  
   
• Medicaid Coverage for Stop Smoking Medications - Recipient
   
• NYS Medicaid Smoking Cessation Coverage (SCC) for Pregnancy Women Policy 
   
• Medicaid to offer smoking cessation counseling for pregnant women