The County Health Plan wants to help you STOP smoking

The County Health Plan allows members to purchase over-the-counter smoking cessation products through our pharmacy benefit plan, saving you money while you improve your quality of life. Nicotine Dependence or smoking is a very significant risk factor for the three diseases that cause the most deaths – heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.

Smoking is responsible for approximately 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths and 20 percent of all cancer deaths.

Smokers are also at an increased risk of having reduced lung-function from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The use of tobacco has been linked to a variety of other conditions, such as diabetes, peptic ulcers, some vision problems and back pain. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to premature birth, miscarriage or stillbirth.

Passive smoke causes lower respiratory illness in children, lung cancer in adults, and contributes to the symptoms of asthma in children. Stopping smoking can be a significant step in improving your quality of life and the quality of life of those around you.

How do I take advantage of this benefit?

The first thing you must do is to check with your HR manager to make sure your group is participating in this program. Then, you must see a physician to discuss the smoking cessation products and the possible side effects to determine which product is best for you.

Then your physician will write a prescription for you. You must have a prescription to receive the pharmacy benefit. Only smoking cessation products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as chewing gum, skin patches and lozenges, are covered in this benefit.

After receiving your prescription, simply fill it at your local retail drug store and pay only the generic copay (note: this benefit is not available via the CHP’s mail-order prescription program.