Employees and their spouses have access to free health and wellness coaching on smoking cessation as part of the My Wellness program. Additionally, employees and members of their immediate household can access support services for substance abuse and a variety of other concerns through the university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Eligible employees can also use FSA or HSA dollars for certain products and services used to help stop smoking.
Although the percentage of Americans who smoke cigarettes has declined significantly over the past several decades, the health consequences of tobacco and nicotine use remain substantial. Nearly half a million Americans die each year from tobacco-related causes. Smoking also diminishes quality of life and is a leading contributor to numerous diseases and conditions, including lung cancer and other cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, diabetes, eye disease, oral health issues, reproductive health complications, and worsening symptoms of conditions such as asthma.
Beyond its impact on health, smoking carries significant financial costs. While it is often viewed as an expensive habit, the true expense extends far beyond the cost of tobacco products themselves. Smoking-related illnesses can lead to increased health care expenditures for individuals and employers alike due to the need for ongoing medical treatment, medications and disease management.
Some strategies to quit smoking include:
- Set a quit date
- List the reasons why you want to quit
- Identify the times and settings in which you are most likely to smoke
- Let friends, family and colleagues know of your plan to stop smoking, including telling them your quit date, to increase accountability
- Get rid of all your cigarettes by your quit date
- Do not substitute one source of nicotine for another (for example, avoid changing from cigarette use to e-cigarette use)
- Clean clothing, vehicles and household items that smell like smoke
- Be aware of possible withdrawal symptoms ahead of time
- Speak with your healthcare provider for medical support that can include medication and/or counseling
The UBreathe tobacco cessation coaching program is a free program available to employees and their spouses to help develop a manageable plan to quit smoking, learn more about how to overcome cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and receive ongoing support. This is one of many confidential, one-on-one health coaching offerings available. To sign up for this and other health coaching programs, go to the My Wellness portal and click “Coaching.” Registration can also be done by calling 800-882-2109 or emailing coaching@marqueehealth.com.
To access substance abuse counseling and other support services through LifeMatters, the university’s EAP, text “Hello” to 61295, call 800-634-6433 or go to mylifematters.com and use password: MU1.
Those with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) can use their funds to pay for many products and services meant to help stop smoking, including nicotine patches or gum, tobacco-cessation medications, and smoking cessation programs. A full list of eligible expenses can be found on the FSA and HSA toolkit offered by WEX.
A primary care provider can also be a great resource to help with developing or supporting a plan to stop smoking. Employees can identify an in-network primary care provider by following these instructions or calling a UMR Plan Advisor at 800-207-3172.
