Description
Medicaid coverage of tobacco-dependence treatments has been assessed regularly since 1998 by the University of California, Berkeley.
Supplier(s)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health (CDC, NCCDPHP, OSH)
Questionable source (Data limitations)
As listed in the 2009 MMWR: The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, Medicaid staff members self-report information on their Medicaid programs. Documentation to verify coverage policies was obtained for 94% of programs; where documentation was not available, errors might have occurred. Second, MCO contracts were not available from all programs. If the state informant did not possess a written contract or policy specifying that tobacco-dependence treatments were covered, the response given by the respondent was assumed to be accurate. Finally, many MCOs offer coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments to Medicaid enrollees, although it is not required per contracts with Medicaid. Consequently, reported data might underestimate tobacco-dependence treatment coverage among MCO enrollees.
Data Years Available
1998-present
Periodicity
Annual
Mode
Internet survey sent to States and DC.
Selected Content
Data released annually as part of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
Methodology
In November 2009, a link to an online survey instrument was sent to previously identified Medicaid personnel for the 50 state Medicaid programs and DC. Respondents were asked to complete 45 questions regarding treatment coverage, coverage limitations, outreach activities, and related subjects. Follow-up questions were directed to relevant contacts in each state via telephone or e-mail. The response rate was 100%. To validate survey responses, Medicaid programs were asked to submit documentation of their tobacco-dependence treatment coverage policies. Of the 47 programs that indicated they covered at least one tobacco-dependence treatment, supporting documentation was obtained for 44 (94%) programs. For programs without complete documentation, the information given by the respondent was confirmed with a second respondent within that state before being accepted as accurate.
Response rate and sample size
The response rate was 100% in 2009, sample size is all states and DC.