Does a health plan effort to increase smokers' awareness of cessation medication coverage increase utilization and cessation?
OBJECTIVE
To test whether a mailing describing new coverage for smoking cessation medications increases benefit knowledge, utilization, and quitting.


METHODS
This randomized controlled trial assigned participants to benefit communication via (1) standard contract changes or (2) enhanced communication with direct-to-member postcards. A sample of 1930 self-identified smokers from two Minnesota health plans took surveys before and 1 year after the benefit's introduction. The follow-up response rate was 80%. A multilevel logistic estimator tested for differences in benefit knowledge and smoking behavior from baseline.


RESULTS
More enhanced than standard communication respondents knew about the benefit (39.0% vs. 22.2%, p < .0001) at follow-up. Groups did not differ on bupropion utilization (24.6% vs. 23.1%, p = .92); nicotine replacement therapy utilization (26.9% vs. 25.9%, p = .26), or cessation (12.8% vs. 15.6%, p = .32).


CONCLUSIONS
Although limited by the low intervention intensity and potential social desirability bias, information about new coverage alone does not appear to increase quitting behaviors.
Alesci
Nina L
NL
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0560, USA.
Boyle
Raymond G
RG
Davidson
Gestur
G
Solberg
Leif I
LI
Magnan
Sanne
S
D000328:Adult; D054598:Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003142:Communication; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011177:Postal Service; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion