Still Smoking? Read this - there's help out there with Medicare.

According to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this year, the rate of new lung cancer cases in the United States decreased from 2005 to 2009. Specifically, the study found that new rates of lung cancer went down 2.6 percent each year among men, and 1.1 percent each year among women. The study also found that the fastest drop in new lung cancer rates occurred among adults ages 35-44 years old. The study used data from the used 2005-2009 data from the National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. According to the report’s press release, smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. The press release quotes CDC Director, Dr. Tom Frieden, who said that “while it is encouraging that lung cancer incidence rates are dropping in the United States, one preventable cancer is one too many.” He goes on to say, “Implementation of tobacco control strategies is needed to reduce smoking prevalence and the lung cancer it causes among men and women.” In general, Medicare covers two counseling attempts each year to help you quit smoking. Each attempt includes four sessions, meaning Medicare covers a total of eight counseling sessions every 12 months to help you quit smoking. Click here to read more about Medicare coverage of counseling sessions to help you quit smoking. Click here to read the entire press release on the CDC report.