A randomized trial to promote pharmacotherapy use and smoking cessation in a Medicaid population (United States)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of three different intervention conditions designed to increase use of the Medicaid smoking cessation pharmacotherapy benefit and promote smoking cessation among Medicaid clients.

Methods: In 2002, 608 current smokers receiving Medicaid benefits were recruited from the reception areas at the Department of Social Services in Erie County, New York, USA. Participants were randomized to one of three interventions: Minimal (verbal information on the Medicaid pharmacotherapy benefit), Self Help (verbal information plus self-help information materials), or Case Management (verbal information, self-help information, plus case management assistance to facilitate access to the pharmacotherapy benefit). Outcomes included (a) use of a stop-smoking medication during the three month follow-up period, (b) self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence at three months and (c) bioverified non-smoking status at three months (bio-chemically validated by expired Carbon Monoxide (CO) < or =8 ppm).

Results: 14.6% reported using a stop-smoking medication and staying off cigarettes for 24 h, 4.6% self-reported being smoke-free at three months, and 1.8% were bioverified as smoke-free. There were no differences by intervention group for these outcomes.

Conclusions: An intensive intervention designed to promote pharmacotherapy use and smoking cessation among Medicaid smokers was no more effective than less intensive interventions.