California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released an evaluation report on the value-based care program for public hospital clinics known as the Quality Incentive Pool program (QIP). The DHCS QIP evaluation report for 2021 and 2022 showed public hospital clinics report high rates of tobacco assessment, but much lower rates on tobacco assistance.

CA Quits successfully advocated for Medi-Cal to require public hospital clinic reporting that focused on tobacco assistance. For 2024 CA Quits is working with the public hospital clinics to include vaping in the tobacco assessment.



TABLE: Tobacco assistance rates by public hospital clinics.

For more information, contact Moreen Sharma: mmsharma@ucdavis.edu

The recent California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) 2023 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Survey Summary Report shows an average of 65.6% (compared to 67.1% in 2021) of Medi-Cal adults reported being advised to quit smoking or using tobacco by their provider. All the Medi-Cal plans that reported their data were below the 50th percentile NCQA national benchmark.

The CAHPS survey uses measures to assess Medi-Cal members’ experiences with the healthcare services they receive and requires each plan to collect 100 responses for the tobacco measures. Only 9 of the 24 Medi-Cal plans obtained enough responses to report on this measure. 

CA Quits continues to work with the Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) for identifying the tobacco users in their entire population of members. This includes identifying those who use e-cigarettes and vapes, as well as those ages 12 and up. CA Quits also works with MCPs to implement strategies for offering assistance.

For more information about the MCP workgroup contact Shannon Haggitt, Plan and Partner Manager, srhaggitt@ucdavis.edu

In the latest California Tobacco Facts and Figures 2024 report from the California Tobacco Prevention Program, there are currently 3.4 million adults who use tobacco products. While nearly 53% report cigarette smoking, over 40% report vape use. This shift in vape and e-cigarette use has led to updates in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) tobacco quality metric to screen for e-cigarette and vape products and begin screening 12 years and older. About 30% of adults who use a commercial tobacco product are covered by Medi-Cal.

This study provides clinicians with guidance on the best rescue strategies for nonabstinence following an initial quit attempt.

Given the high rates of cannabis use, especially for symptom management, and the high levels of disordered use, UCLA researchers recommend that health care systems implement routine screening of primary care patients.

The findings suggest that state-based initiatives to expand access to health care and screening facilities may be associated with improved LCS rates and reduced disparities.

Trainings

• Apply for the Fall 2024 Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training (APPLICATION DUE:7/17/24) - The statewide training is open to individuals representing organizations that provide or aim to provide cessation services to underserved populations. Click here for the application and Click here for the FAQ. The next TTS training session will be virtual and held on September 17-19, 2024.

Webinars

• 7/10/2024: Project SUN: A Culturally Adapted Youth Smoking Cessation Program for American Indian/Alaska Native Youth. Click here to register.

Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics - Youth Tobacco Cessation: Considerations for Clinicians designed to provide practical advice and considerations for addressing tobacco cessation and helping young patients quit tobacco use.

• Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California has a gallery of social media images promoting quitting tobacco. Click here to view.

• Kick It California launched a new and free mobile app to help people quit smoking or vaping. The mobile app allows those who are thinking about quitting or ready to quit smoking/vaping to track progress, build a quit plan, check in daily and more. Click here to read more about it.

CA Quits | www.caquits.com.