Now more than ever, state and provincial tobacco control staff are wearing several hats and being asked to do more with less. The information and practical tools that NAQC provides on strategies for improving quitline sustainability are used not only to develop solutions to immediate challenges but also to inform longer-range strategic issues. From practical samples of tools used by your colleagues in other states and provinces to more in-depth case studies and seminars, NAQC has tried to provide a variety of resources you need to succeed in topic areas we know are important to you. This e-bulletin tries to make finding these resources on Medicaid and Public-Private Partnerships easier…we know your time is valuable.

MEDICAID (U.S. only)

MODELS & SAMPLES
Medicaid Resource Repository
This online commons contains an electronic collection of documents and links organized into four distinct repository sections and exists to encourage shared-learning and dissemination of promising practices among states.

• Securing Cost-Partnership and Federal Financial Participation (FFP)

Resources in this section focus on information, guidance, tools and examples to support cost-sharing partnerships with Medicaid and FFP for quitline administrative expenditures.

• Outreach and Promotion to Providers

Resources in this section focus on information, samples and evidence related to promoting your quitline and Medicaid tobacco cessation benefits to Medicaid providers and partners.

• Outreach and Promotion to Medicaid Beneficiaries

Resources in this section focus on information, samples and evaluation related to promoting your quitline and Medicaid tobacco cessation benefits directly to Medicaid beneficiaries.

• Understanding Medicaid

Resources in this section are useful for building and improving understanding of the structure and processes of Medicaid.

Efforts to Claim Federal Financial Participation for Quitline Administrative Expenditures: A Review of the Landscape, December 2011
A NAQC report highlighting results from an assessment of states’ Medicaid-related efforts. The report includes details on state strategies, current challenges and links to helpful resources.

SEMINARS
Medicaid: Learning More About Infrastructure, Lingo and Coverage and Why it Matters
Seminar Summary
Seminar Recording

Medicaid: Learning More About Medicaid Reimbursement for Tobacco Cessation Quitline Activities. Part One in a Series of Webinars Dedicated to Tobacco Cessation Services for Medicaid Beneficiaries.
Seminar Summary
Seminar Recording

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
NAQC Listserv
Should you have an immediate need for information or guidance from your peers, be sure to use the NAQC listserv! To post a question simply send your question to NAQC@listserv.naquitline.org. Be sure to share your own wisdom and respond to questions posted by your colleagues by simply using the "reply” button.

Individualized help just for you!
Please forward questions related to Medicaid to Tamatha Thomas-Haase at tthomas-haase@naquitline.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming Seminar: June 13^th: 3:30 – 5 PM ET
The Ins and Outs of Medicaid Managed Care and Developing Standardized Benefits

Medicaid Workshop at the NAQC Conference
NAQC’s Medicaid Learning Community will be developing and facilitating a 3-hour workshop on partnering with Medicaid at the NAQC Conference in August.

PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS
Forming public-private partnerships can be challenging and time consuming, however states have demonstrated success by taking the time to plan, educate and engage both public and private insurers in the process. The following compilation of resources provides information about the health insurance industry and forming effective partnerships between public health agencies, health-care systems and the business community.

RECOMMENDED READING
A Practical Guide to Working with Health-Care Systems on Tobacco-Use Treatment, CDC, 2006.
This guide provides information about developing comprehensive tobacco-control and treatment strategies within health care systems, including how to build collaborative partnerships with the private sector.

Helping Smokers Quit: Tobacco Cessation Report 2011
This report looks at recent and upcoming actions at the federal and state levels that will make it easier for smokers to quit. It includes state-by-state information on what tobacco cessation treatments are covered by Medicaid programs and state employee health plans, as well as which states require tobacco cessation coverage in private insurance plans. Resources provided to smokers, such as quitlines, are also highlighted.

The Colorado Tobacco Cessation and Sustainability, A Case Study
This case study tells the story of Colorado’s journey toward comprehensive tobacco cessation coverage. It describes how the Colorado Tobacco Cessation and Sustainability Partnership worked closely with public and private health plans to provide coverage for tobacco treatment.

Florida Action Plan for Comprehensive Tobacco Treatment
The Florida Tobacco Cessation Alliance, using insight and feedback from key partners and stakeholders, created a comprehensive Action Plan for the state of Florida. The Action Plan provides key recommendations and action steps organizations can take to advocate for the adoption of comprehensive treatment resources for all tobacco users.

SEMINARS
Phase I: Building Public-Private Partnerships: Assessing and Building Support for Health Plan Coverage for Quitlines
This presentation describes how to assess your state’s coverage of tobacco cessation treatment among private insurers. The session reviews primary assessment tools and their application, including: Health Plan Employer Data and Information (HEDIS), the eValue8 Request for Information, Quitline data, interviewing health plans and assessing your state’s support at the administrative level. Time is also spent identifying key stakeholders for leveraging support for health plan engagement.
PowerPoint Presentation
Seminar Summary
Seminar Recording
State Cessation Coverage Assessment Worksheet (Word)

Phase II: Developing and Implementing a Plan to Expand Health Plan Coverage of Quitline Services
Once a state has completed the cessation coverage assessment and identified key stakeholders (Phase I), the next step is to convene key stakeholders to collaboratively develop a state action plan. Key stakeholders are educated on the data and information gathered through the state’s assessment to gain a shared understanding and expertise to assist them in determining how best to address coverage for their state. Through a facilitated process, stakeholders collaboratively develop a plan to address gaps in cessation coverage, as well as how to successfully implement the plan.
PowerPoint Presentation
Seminar Summary(coming soon!)
Seminar Recording

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
For assistance or additional information, please contact Deb Osborne at dosborne@naquitline.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming Seminar: May 16, 2012: 3:30 – 5 PM ET
Phase III: Building Support for Quitline Coverage Through Promotion, Education and Return-on-Investment (ROI)
The promotion of evidence-based services, educating employers and insurers on the availability of quitline services and demonstrating the cost-benefit of providing those services can be instrumental in engaging both public and private insurers. During this phase of the process, attention must be given to educating health plans, large employers, purchasing groups and brokers on the importance of evidence-based cessation services and demonstrating the return-on-investment.

Private-Public Partnership Workshop at the NAQC Conference
The 3-part webinar series on Public-Private Partnership will conclude with a workshop at the NAQC Conference in August. The workshop will highlight the successes and experiences.