CT HB06550

Amends Section 17b-278a to require the Commissioner of Social Services to update the Medicaid state plan to cover smoking cessation treatment recommended by a licensed health care provider, effective July 1, 2011.

Requires a valid prescription from a licensed health care provider for legend drugs used in smoking cessation treatment.

Mandates coverage include both legend and over-the-counter smoking cessation drugs plus counseling by a physician, qualified clinician, or trained tobacco cessation counselor consistent with U.S. Public Health Service clinical practice guidelines.

Limits Medicaid smoking cessation coverage to no more than two treatment plans per year per beneficiary.

Amends Section 17b-280a to carve out smoking cessation drugs as an exception to the general prohibition on Medicaid coverage of over-the-counter drugs, effective July 1, 2011.