(a) Tobacco cessation services are covered benefits under the Medi-Cal program, subject to utilization controls. Tobacco cessation services shall include all intervention recommendations, as periodically updated, assigned a grade A or B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Tobacco cessation services shall include quit attempts based on medical necessity, as defined in Section 14059.5, and consistent with United States Preventive Services Task Force grade A and B recommendations, with no required break between attempts, for all beneficiaries 18 years of age and older who use tobacco. For beneficiaries under 18 years of age, tobacco cessation services shall be provided in accordance with both the American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures periodicity schedule and anticipatory guidance as periodically updated, as well as services assigned a grade A or B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

(b) For purposes of this section, in addition to the services described in subdivision (a) and only to the extent consistent with the intervention recommendations, as periodically updated, assigned a grade A or B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, tobacco cessation services for beneficiaries 18 years of age and older shall include all of the following:

(1) At least four tobacco cessation counseling sessions per quit attempt that may be conducted in person or by telephone and individually or as part of a group, at the beneficiary’s option.

(2) (A) A tobacco cessation treatment regimen of any medication approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, and that is a covered Medi-Cal benefit, for tobacco cessation, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, in accordance with United States Preventive Services Task Force grade A and B recommendations.

(B) A prescription from a provider with authority to prescribe and proof of Medi-Cal coverage shall be sufficient documentation to fill a prescription for over-the-counter tobacco cessation medications.

(c) Beneficiaries who are covered under this section shall not be required to receive a particular form of tobacco cessation service as a condition of receiving any other form of tobacco cessation service.

(d) Effective January 1, 2017, the department shall seek any federal approvals that the department determines are necessary to implement this section.

(e) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and not otherwise jeopardized, and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 283. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)