Tobacco Cessation Resources

Penn’s Quit Smoking Program

Kicking the habit may be one of the most challenging things you’ll ever do, but it will also be the most rewarding. Here are resources offered by Penn to help you achieve a life free from tobacco.

Virgin Pulse's "Be Tobacco-Free" Coaching Program:

Available through Virgin Pulse, Penn’s third party wellness vendor, you can partner with a Virgin Pulse tobacco specialist who can help you learn strategies that make sense for your life. Learn more on the Virgin Pulse Coaching page.

Penn's Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program:

The Penn Smoking Treatment Program (Penn Stop) is a state-of-the-art clinical program designed to help smokers quit smoking by understanding the influence that nicotine exerts on the brain, and finding stress-free ways to gain control of the problem. Smokers meet with a specially trained doctor and counselor, and develop a personalized plan for ongoing care. Because people who participate shouldn’t expect to quit smoking on the first visit, it’s an ideal program for people who would like one-on-one support, and even people who are not sure they want to quit. (Check with your insurance provider to determine applicable co-pays or referral requirements.) 

Save Money on Quit Smoking Expenses through Penn’s Healthcare Offerings:

  • Penn’s Prescription Plan: 90-day supplies of smoking cessation medications (Zyban and Chantix) available through your prescription drug mail-order program. A 90-day supply of Bupropion (generic Zyban) is available for a copay. Learn more at www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/benefits/health/medical/prescription.
  • Independence Blue Cross: Members can be reimbursed up to $150 per year for completing an approved tobacco cessation program and for nicotine replacement products or medications prescribed to you to help you quit.  IBC also offers support through its “Quit and Fit” program.  Members can use the reimbursement program, or “Quit and Fit” but not both in one year. For more information, call 1-800-ASK-BLUE or visit the Health & Wellness section at http://www.ibx.com/login.  
  • Aetna: Members can receive qualifying tobacco cessation counseling options (telephonic, group, or individual are acceptable) by working with their primary care physician or going to an in-network  retail clinic location, (such as Minute Clinic). Four visits and/or one 90-day supply of medications equal one cessation attempt, with two cessation attempts per year covered. For more information, go to www.aetna.com.
  • Penn’s Health Care Flexible Spending Account: With a prescription, the cost of OTC smoking cessation medications is an eligible medical expense. OTC products include, but are not limited to: Commit, Endit, Habitrol, NicoDerm, Nicorette, Smoke Away. Learn more at https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay/health-life-and-fsa/health. 

Additional Free Community Resources:

  • SmokeFree Philly (www.smokefreephilly.org): Philadelphia Department of Public Health program offering support and tools to quit.
  • PA Department of Health Resources:
    • PA Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669): Telephonic cessation counseling for PA residents, available 24 hr/day, 7 days/week.
    • NJ State Funded Resources:
      • NJ Quitline (1-866-NJSTOPS or www.njquitline.org): NJ Department of Health resource with telephonic cessation counseling for NJ residents.
      • Mom’s Quit Connection (888-545-5191): Telephonic and face-to-face cessation counseling for pregnant and parenting women and families.
    • SmokeFREE Program, Main Line Health (484-227-FREE): Six-week group behavior management program held in various locations. May be eligible for free NRT.

Additional Community Resources:

  • JeffQuit Program, Jefferson University Hospital (1-800-JEFF-NOW): A three-week tobacco cessation support/therapy program. Program fee applies.