MN SF1320

Expands Medical Assistance coverage to include tobacco and nicotine cessation services, drugs, and telephone quitline services consistent with evidence-based practices.

Covers in-person individual and group cessation counseling provided by mental health practitioners, certified tobacco treatment specialists, community health workers, physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, and other licensed or nonlicensed professionals with training in cessation services.

Covers all FDA-approved prescription and over-the-counter pharmacotherapy drugs for tobacco and nicotine cessation that are subject to Medicaid drug rebate agreements, with no restrictions on dosage, frequency, simultaneous use of multiple drugs, or step therapy requirements.

Eliminates all cost-sharing (co-payments, deductibles, prior authorization) for tobacco and nicotine cessation services and drugs for both Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare recipients.

Allows quitline services to be provided through audio-only communications and permits the commissioner to utilize volume purchasing for quitline services through competitive bidding.