Health Resources
Smoking Cessation

Affinity Health Plan has made Smoking Cessation a priority for its Members who smoke. Research demonstrates that the best way to change smokers' behavior is to speak with them directly about the need to stop smoking and to participate in their smoking cessation efforts.

It is important for you to be proactive about smoking cessation:

• Perform (and document!) a smoking assessment on each of your patients every you time you see them.
  
  
• Provide smoking counseling for all your patients who smoke. Spending just 30 seconds discussing smoking with your patient is enough to make a difference in his/her behavior.
  
  
• Provide smoking cessation educational materials for your patient to read.
  
  
• Refer patients who smoke to a community resource, such as the NY State Smokers Quitline (1-888-609-6292). The Quitline offers a variety of teaching materials and can provide 1:1 telephone counseling if your patient is having a difficult time resisting the urge to smoke.
  
  
• Provide services and pharmaceuticals as medically indicated.
  
  

Medicaid/Affinity Health Plan pays for:

• nicotine replacement therapy (patches, nasal sprays, gum)
  
  
• smoking deterrents (bupropion)
  
  
• outpatient behavioral therapy (through ValueOptions, Affinity Health Plan's behavioral health service provider network). Call 1-800-922-3626 for a referral.
  
  

The 5 A's for treating a patient who is willing to quit smoking:

• ASK
  
  
• ADVISE
  
  
• ASSESS
  
  
• ASSIST
  
  
• ARRANGE
  
  

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2500 Halsey Street, Bronx, NY 10461 | Phone 718-794-7700 | Fax 718-794-7800