Do you need help to quit smoking?
Posted 06/11/25Smoking-cessation products are covered by your health plan!
If you’re ready to quit smoking, it’s helpful to understand how medications can increase your chances of success. Quit attempts using medications tend to have better outcomes than those done “cold turkey,” or without medication.
Products that help you quit smoking include short-acting nicotine-replacement medications like gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays, and long-acting medications like varenicline (Chantix®), bupropion (Zyban®), and nicotine patches. Research suggests that combining a long-acting medication that you take on a regular schedule with a short-acting medication to help with cravings, as needed, may increase the likelihood of quitting.1
If you need help quitting, ask your doctor if using medication to help may be a good next step for you.
We’ve got you covered
The smoking-cessation products listed below are covered under your US Family Health Plan pharmacy benefit at a $0 copay with the following terms/conditions:
- The medication must be obtained with a prescription through the Martin’s Point Mail-Order Pharmacy. (Not covered at retail pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, etc.) NOTE: Although some items are available over the counter, coverage at $0 copay ONLY applies when a prescription for these items is submitted to the Martin’s Point Mail-Order Pharmacy.
- The beneficiary is over age 17.
- A maximum of 60-day supply at a time will be dispensed.
- Up to two quit attempts per year are covered. NOTE: One quit attempt is defined as two 60-day fills (therefore, four 60-day fills are covered per year). If you need more than 240 days of medication in a year, a prior authorization would be required.
REMINDER: Coverage does not apply at retail pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens, even for OTC items.
Covered medications
Short-acting medications
- Nicotine Chewing Gum (2mg, 4mg)
- Nicotine Lozenge/Mini Lozenge (2mg, 4mg)
- Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol®) (10mg/ml)
Long-acting medications
- Nicotine Patch (7mg/24hr Starter Pack, 14mg/24hr, 21mg/24hr)
- Varenicline (generic of Chantix®) – Starter, 0.5mg Tab, 1mg Tab)
- Bupropion HCl SR (generic of Zyban®) – 150mg Tab)
Note: (Bupropion must be the generic version of Zyban® for $0 copay. Generic for Wellbutrin® is NOT covered.)
If you try to fill one of these prescriptions at a retail pharmacy and it is denied, you likely will get a letter from your health plan with information on how to order through the Martin’s Point Mail-Order Pharmacy.
Additional resources
State Quit Lines – connect with free coaching and personalized quit plans in your state:
- Maine: Maine QuitLink or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
- New Hampshire: Call 1-800-852-3345 QuitNow New Hampshire
- Vermont: Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) 802Quits
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Quitline or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
- New York: Call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487)
- Pennsylvania: Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
- Ohio: Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) Ohio Tobacco Quit Line
American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking® Program: Offers group clinics to help you overcome tobacco addiction. Learn more
American Heart Association: Provides resources and support for quitting smoking. Visit their website.
For additional information or assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Member Services.
1. Department of Health and Human Services. Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2020.
