While rates of smoking decreased during the pandemic, overall tobacco cessation may have slowed – and that’s something HealthPartners hopes to change by partnering with Pivot.

Is smoking still an issue in the United States?

Smoking rates have steadily decreased in the United States, from about 20% in 2009 to about 14% in 2019. 

While data routinely shows that a majority of tobacco users want to quit, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress in increasing quit rates. Phone calls to a national cessation hotline plummeted in 2020, according to the North American Quitline Consortium. Sales of e-cigarettes also rose, threatening the nation’s decades-long improvement.

Why is smoking cessation important?

Data also shows that quitting tobacco is associated with a 10% reduction in medical costs over time. In just 3 to 6 years, a person who stops using tobacco can cut their risk in half from developing coronary artery disease.

Who is HealthPartners?

HealthPartners is a consumer-governed, nonprofit healthcare organization with a mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with members, patients, and the community.

Why did HealthPartners choose Pivot Breathe?

“Unlike other quitting tools, Pivot’s app-based approach makes it a simple and convenient option and potentially more accessible than other cessation programs,” said Ginger Kakacek, MD, HealthPartners Chief Health Plan Medical Officer. “Using tobacco increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, and many conditions and diseases. Quitting tobacco, on the other hand, has very clear health benefits.”

What is included in their launch of Pivot Breathe?

HealthPartners is offering Pivot to 32,000 members with fully insured plans sponsored by small businesses and plans to expand eligibility in the coming year. Members who are tobacco users in the small group market can enroll in a Pivot tobacco cessation program for six months with no cost-sharing.

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This initiative signifies a crucial step towards a healthier future, where individuals can breathe easier, free from the burdens of tobacco-related health concerns.