Is Chantix Covered by Medicare?

Yes, some Medicare Part D prescription drug plans may cover Varenicline (Chantix). 

Medicare Part B covers some smoking cessation counseling services to help you stop smoking or using tobacco products. If Medicare covers other treatments related to your smoking cessation, you may be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copays.

A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan can help pay for your out-of-pocket Medicare costs for smoking cessation treatment, though Medigap plans don't cover prescription drug costs.

Medicare may cover some smoking cessation counseling.

Medicare Part B Does Cover Tobacco Cessation Counseling

Medicare Part B provides medical insurance, and it covers some smoking cessation and tobacco-use cessation counseling visits.

• Part B will cover up to 8 visits of smoking cessation therapy sessions with a mental health counselor within a 12 month period

• If your doctor or health care provider for the smoking cessation counseling sessions accepts Medicare assignment, you will most likely not face any out-of-pocket costs.

If you receive other treatments for smoking cessation that are covered by Medicare, you may potentially face certain deductibles or coinsurance/copayments.

Some Medicare Prescription Drug Plans May Cover Chantix

Chantix is not covered by Medicare Part A or Part B (Original Medicare, which is provided by the federal government).

However, some private Medicare plans that provide prescription drug coverage may cover Chantix.

If you want Medicare prescription drug coverage for medications like Chantix, you may want to consider:

• Enrolling in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

• Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that covers prescription drugs

Some Medicare Part D drug plans and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MA-PDs) may cover prescription drugs that help with smoking cessation.

These and other treatment options could include:

• Chantix

• Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin or Aplenzin)

• Certain nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

• Other antidepressant drugs that help reduce tobacco withdrawal symptoms

You can compare Part D plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online in as little as 10 minutes when you visit MyRxPlans.com.¹

How Much Does Chantix Cost With Medicare?

Because Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies, your drug coverage and costs can vary.

Depending on your plan, you may be responsible for certain deductibles and/or copays for Chantix or other smoking cessation drugs that are covered by your individual plan.

Medigap Plans Can Help Cover Covered Medicare Tobacco Cessation Treatment

If Medicare covers your smoking cessation counseling or other treatment, you will typically have to pay certain out-of-pocket costs such as copays, deductibles and coinsurance.

A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan can help cover some of these costs.

For example, each of the 10 standardized Medigap plans that are available in most states provide coverage for the Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments you might face when you receive covered outpatient smoking cessation treatments.

Learn more about Medicare coverage of common procedures

A licensed agent can help you find a Medigap plan that works for you. Call today to speak with a licensed agent and compare the Medigap plans that are available where you live.

¹ 10-minute claim is based solely on the time to complete the e-application if you have your Medicare card and other pertinent information available when you apply. The time to shop for plans, compare rates, and estimate drug costs is not factored into the claim. Application time could be longer. Actual time to enroll will depend on the consumer and their plan comparison needs.

Christian Worstell is a health care and policy writer for MedicareSupplement.com. He has written hundreds of articles helping people better understand their Medicare coverage options.