Support and tools to help you quit smoking and stay tobacco-free
A guide for UPMC Health Plan members
Deciding to quit smoking is hard—but there are ways to make it easier. Whether you or a loved one is looking to quit, success is within reach. A number of support tools—from individual encouragement to group motivation and more—are available to those who want to quit smoking and stay tobacco-free for good.
Plan and set realistic goals with your doctor
After deciding it’s time to quit smoking, you need to plan your approach, then set realistic individual goals and timelines.
Contact your primary care provider (PCP) to discuss quitting and the tobacco cessation product(s) that may be right for you. Be sure to mention all of the medicines you take and any medical conditions you have. This will allow your PCP to assess your risk of side effects.
If your PCP does prescribe a tobacco cessation product for you, be sure to read the instructions carefully and use the medication for the recommended length of time.
As a UPMC Health Plan member, you may have access to tobacco cessation products at no cost to you. To learn more, call the number on your member ID card.
Keep on track with a Prescription for Wellness health coach
Improving your health isn’t easy. Even if you know how to follow your doctor’s advice and take your prescriptions, life can get in the way.
If you need that extra push from a professional you can trust, take advantage of our free Prescription for Wellness health coaching service.
Our Prescription for Wellness health coaches include nurses, counselors, social workers, dietitians, and exercise specialists. Not only can they help with smoking cessation, they can guide you on how to improve your overall health, make lifestyle changes that last, and stay motivated to achieve your goals.
Form healthy habits with Ready to Quit
In addition to the benefits that come from being matched with a Prescription for Wellness health coach, you also can take advantage of Ready to Quit [™], a health coaching service designed to give you the extra support in achieving a tobacco-free lifestyle.
When you enroll in Ready to Quit, you’ll get access to coaches who can help you:
- Identify the goals that are important to quitting smoking.
- Create a plan to quit one step at a time.
- Change your routine for a few weeks to break your related habits.
- Get answers about your health and the challenges that may come with quitting.
Record your progress with digital tools
UPMC Health Plan also offers online smoking cessation support tools for members as part of UPMC’s acclaimed MyHealth wellness programs. You can access these tools by logging in to MyHealth OnLine using your member ID.
For motivation on the go, Odyssey by UPMC is a fun, engaging app to help you achieve your health goals. The app provides guided activities, daily check-ins with a virtual health coach, and tools to help you learn your trends, avoid setbacks, and develop healthy habits that last.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help!
Only you can take the first step toward quitting—but you don’t have to make the journey alone.
In addition to the support tools, programs, and references listed above, a number of other services offer immediate support:
- Online or telephone assistance is available by calling 1-877-44U-QUIT or visiting upmchp.us/smoke-free-tips.
- UPMC Health Plan behavioral resources: upmchp.us/behavioralresources
- UPMC Prescription for Wellness: 1-866-778-6073 (TTY: 711)
- National Cancer Institute: Clearing the Air—Quit Smoking Today
- The Pennsylvania FREE Quit Line: A telephonic health coaching service available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- QuitLogix: https://pa.quitlogix.org/en-US
- Tobacco-Free Allegheny: Group and individual support available by calling 412-322-TFA1 ext. 8321
- National Poison Center: A national hotline that connects you with a local center—available 24/7, 365 days a year, at 1-800-222-1222
