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HB 506

Social services; Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatments; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Au and 4 co-sponsors

House Bill 506 ensures Medicaid covers unlimited tobacco cessation treatments, removing financial barriers for recipients to quit smoking and improve public health.

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Bill Summary · HB 506

Summary of House Bill 506: Medicaid Coverage for Tobacco Cessation Treatments

Bill Number: HB 506
Title: Social services; Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatments; provide
Status: Senate Tabled
Introduced: February 18, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 506 aims to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to provide Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatments. The bill seeks to enhance public health by making it easier for Medicaid recipients to access resources that can help them quit smoking and using tobacco products.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several important provisions regarding Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation:

  1. Coverage for Treatments:

    • Medicaid will cover any FDA-approved medications prescribed for tobacco cessation.
    • Coverage will also include individual, group, and telephone counseling for tobacco cessation, as defined by the United States Public Health Services Guidelines or the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

  2. Unlimited Attempts:

    • Recipients of medical assistance will not face limitations on the number of covered tobacco cessation attempts for counseling treatments, whether on an annual or lifetime basis.

  3. No Prior Authorization:

    • The Georgia Department of Human Services and any managed care organizations will not impose prior authorization requirements for tobacco cessation treatments prescribed by providers.
    • There will be no deductibles or copayments for recipients seeking tobacco cessation treatments.

  4. Implementation and Compliance:

    • The Department of Human Services is tasked with implementing these provisions in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
    • The department must submit any necessary state Medicaid plan amendments or waiver requests to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to facilitate the implementation of this bill.

Affected Parties

  • Medicaid Recipients: Individuals enrolled in Medicaid will benefit from expanded access to tobacco cessation treatments without financial barriers.
  • Healthcare Providers: Providers of medical assistance will be reimbursed for delivering tobacco cessation services, including counseling and medications.
  • Managed Care Organizations: These entities will need to adjust their policies to comply with the new requirements set forth in the bill.

Legislative Timeline

  • February 18, 2025: Bill introduced and entered the House Hopper.
  • February 19-27, 2025: The bill went through various readings and was favorably reported by the House Committee.
  • March 6, 2025: The House passed the bill.
  • March 10, 2025: The bill was read and referred to the Senate.
  • March 13, 2025: The Senate Committee favorably reported the bill.
  • March 18, 2025: The Senate read the bill a second time.
  • April 2, 2025: The bill was tabled in the Senate.

Conclusion

House Bill 506 represents a significant step towards improving public health in Georgia by facilitating access to tobacco cessation resources for Medicaid recipients. By removing financial barriers and administrative hurdles, the bill aims to support individuals in their efforts to quit tobacco use, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes across the state.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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