Tobacco Cessation Counseling - Expanded (IB 23-21)

Date: 12/13/23

Louisiana Healthcare Connections is sharing with providers a recent publication to the Medicaid MCO Manual with the addition of Tobacco Cessation Counseling Services policy (IB 23-21).

Louisiana Healthcare Connections will cover tobacco cessation counseling services for enrollees who use tobacco products or who are being treated for tobacco use when provided by, or under the supervision of, the enrollee’s primary care provider or other appropriate healthcare professionals. We will cover up to four tobacco cessation counseling sessions per quit attempt, up to two quit attempts per calendar year, for a maximum of eight counseling sessions per calendar year. These limits may be exceeded if deemed medically necessary. 

The provider rendering tobacco cessation counseling services must be an enrolled Medicaid provider. Health care professionals who may provide tobacco cessation counseling include physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physicians’ assistants, as well as mental health providers who are licensed to practice independently. Other professional or paraprofessional healthcare practitioners must have completed training in the provision of tobacco cessation counseling and must provide services under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

Minimum reimbursement for tobacco cessation counseling will be based on the applicable current procedural terminology (CPT) code on the Professional Services Fee Schedule and willl need to be supported by appropriate documentation.