Coverage of smoking cessation treatment by union health and welfare funds
E M Barbeau1, Y I Li, G Sorensen
1Department of Adult Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA 02115, USA. elizabeth_barbeau@dfci.harvard.edu
Objectives:
This study determined the level of insurance coverage for smoking cessation treatment and factors associated with coverage among health and welfare funds affiliated with a large labor union.
Methods:
A self-administered written survey was mailed to fund and union officials. Analyses were conducted by chi2 tests.
Results:
Twenty-nine percent of funds provided coverage for some type of smoking cessation treatment, with the odds of coverage significantly increased among funds whose administrators reported having received members' requests for smoking cessation treatment in the past year (odds ratio = 4.9, P = .05).
Conclusions:
Coverage for smoking cessation services is low, comparable to coverage offered by other health insurers. Interventions with union members and fund officials are needed to provide union members with access to affordable and effective smoking cessation treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
01:11Secondary Healthcare System
01:26Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...