Medicaid coverage of tobacco-dependence treatment for pregnant women: impact of the Affordable Care Act

Abstract

Background: Twenty percent of pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid use tobacco products. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires Medicaid to cover tobacco-dependence treatments for pregnant women beginning in 2010.

Purpose: To summarize the impact of the ACA provisions on Medicaid coverage of tobacco-dependence treatments for pregnant women.

Methods: Medicaid programs were surveyed regarding their coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments after the ACA provisions went into effect.

Results: From 2009 to 2010, coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments increased from 43 to 51 programs covering pharmacotherapy treatments and from 30 to 38 programs covering tobacco-cessation counseling. States added additional coverage for counseling in 2011 and 2012.

Conclusions: To maximize these benefits, Medicaid programs need to conduct outreach to inform Medicaid-enrolled pregnant smokers of this coverage.