Smoking cessation counseling can help you quit smoking.

Eligibility

Medicare Part B covers two smoking cessation counseling attempts each year if you use tobacco. Each counseling attempt includes up to four face-to-face sessions with your provider, for a total of up to eight sessions.

Note: Over-the-counter drug treatments for smoking cessation, such as nicotine patches and gum, are not covered by Medicare. These and other over-the-counter drugs are excluded by law from Part D coverage. However, your Part D plan may cover certain prescription drugs for smoking cessation.

Costs

If you qualify, Original Medicare covers smoking cessation counseling at 100% of the Medicare-approved amount when you receive the service from a participating provider. This means you pay nothing (no deductible or coinsurance). Medicare Advantage Plans are required to cover this counseling without applying deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance when you see an in-network provider and meet Medicare’s eligibility requirements for the service.

During the course of your counseling, your provider may discover and need to investigate or treat a new or existing problem. This additional care is considered diagnostic, meaning your provider is treating you because of certain symptoms or risk factors. Medicare may bill you for any diagnostic care you receive during a preventive visit.