BETHEL – The Bethel Family Health Center, part of the HealthReach Community Health Centers system, has begun a small-scale pilot program to offer patients vouchers for nicotine replacement therapy.
Through the program, eligible patients receive free nicotine patches or gum. The program is supported by the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine and is being coordinated by the Maine Primary Care Association and the Center for Tobacco Independence.
“Given the fact that western Maine continues to lead the state in nicotine dependence, this is a great opportunity for our patients to initiate the process of nicotine cessation,” said Dr. Kevin Finley of the Bethel Family Health Center.
The program reinforces the partnership between the patient and the medical provider in dealing with this serious health care risk, who together decide if the patient is ready to make a real commitment to stop tobacco use. The provider then makes the assessment, authorizes the voucher, and the patient receives the therapy from their pharmacy of choice on the same day.
Follow-up visits with providers monitor a patient’s progress toward tobacco cessation. Another month of therapy, if medically appropriate, may be authorized. Patients may continue to call the Maine Tobacco Hotline for free and confidential counseling.
For more information, phone Bethel Family Health Center at 824-2193 or the Maine Tobacco Hotline at 1-800-207-1230.
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