Gov. Mitch Daniels recently signed into law a statewide smoking ban making this a good time for you to screen patients for tobacco use and encourage them to quit smoking. Both Medicare and Medicaid will reimburse you for tobacco cessation counseling.

Medicaid will accept these codes:

• 99406 – Smoking cessation counseling visit between 3-10 minutes
• 99407 – Counseling for over 10 minutes. Use the modifier U6 for intensive counseling greater than 10 minutes. One unit of 99407 U6 is 15 minutes of service and is reimbursed at $22.08 per unit.

Medicaid also will cover prescription cessation aids.

Codes for Medicare include:

• G0436 – Smoking and tobacco cessation counseling visit for intermediate, greater than 3 minutes, up to 10 minutes
• G0437 – Smoking and tobacco cessation counseling visit intensive, greater than 10 minutes

For both Medicare and Medicaid, report one of the following diagnosis codes: 305.1 or V15.82.

Indiana Tobacco Quitline
As an added resource, you can refer your patients to the Indiana Tobacco Quitline that provides free phone-based counseling. The confidential service is available seven days a week in more than 170 languages.

Simply have your patients sign the referral form found at in.gov to allow Quitline staff to contact them.

Fax the form to (800) 483-3114. A report will be faxed to you indicating if the patient was reached and/or enrolled in services.

For information call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or go to the quitline homepage.

Gov. Mitch Daniels signs HEA 1149, the Smoking Ban bill, into law as advocates look on. Standing at far right is ISMA Government Relations Legislative Liaison Ambre Marr. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Pemberton/The Indianapolis Star)

Indiana’s new smoking law The new statute, which takes effect July 1, prohibits smoking in public places, in enclosed areas of a place of employment, in certain state vehicles, and within 8 feet of a public entrance to a public place or an enclosed area of a place of employment. Even though the measure allows for a number of exemptions, it prohibits smoking in public places, including restaurants and places of employment. While falling short of the ISMA’s long-time goal of a comprehensive ban, the new law is a start toward improving and protecting the health of Indiana residents. Here is a list of facilities that are exempt: Gaming facilities Bars and taverns Cigar and hookah bars (must be in business by Dec. 31, 2012) Fraternal, social and veteran’s clubs (must take a vote of their membership every two years) Cigar manufacturer facilities Cigar specialty stores, if certain requirements are met A business located in the business owner’s residence, if certain requirements are met