Counseling

Chances are that you first tried smoking or vaping with another person, so why shouldn't you have another person help you stop smoking or vaping? Whether or not you want someone's help to quit, the most important thing is that you try – just know that your health care provider and the Washington State Quitline can help. Also, research shows that counseling can double your chances of quitting for good.

Phone counseling

All Washington residents are eligible for some amount of free counseling through the Washington State Quitline. This usually includes a registration call, a call to help set up your quit plan, and follow-up calls to help you along the way.

To start, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) with any health insurance plan information you may have. The Quitline is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. You can also register at quitline.com or text READY to 200-400. Not ready just yet? Check out:

• Five reasons why calling the Quitline can be key to your success
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Quitline (PDF)

Most health plans include tobacco cessation telephone counseling. You can view a summary of current coverage here (PDF), but in general, if you have:

• No health insurance, you are eligible for at least five free telephone counseling calls per year from the Quitline. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
• Apple Health (Medicaid), your benefit depends on your payer. If you are insured through Molina, call 1-866-472-9483. If you are insured through Coordinated Care, call 1-866-274-5791. Otherwise, call 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (1-866-784-8454).
• Medicare, you are eligible for at least five free counseling calls per year from the Quitline. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
• Private insurance, your benefit depends on your health plan. Contact your health insurance carrier (or employer, if applicable) for details or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW with your plan information.

Most participants will also be eligible for free nicotine patches or other cessation medications. Here is more information about telephone counseling:

• Youth ages 13-17 can call the Quitline and enroll in a support program for teens.
• Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding can call the Quitline and receive specialized support.
• Spanish speakers can call the Quitline at l 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569).
• The Quitline has translation services for callers in over 240 languages.
• People with hearing impairments can dial 1-877-777-6534 to access the Quitline.
• The Asian Smokers' Quitline is a free nationwide quitline open Monday through Friday, from 7:00am to 9:00pm. This quitline has three different phone numbers:
  • Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) speakers call 1-800-838-8917.
  • Korean speakers call 1-800-556-5564.
  • Vietnamese speakers call 1-800-778-8440.
• Veterans who receive healthcare through the VA can call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838). Quit VET is open Monday through Friday, from 5:00am to 7:00pm.

Interested in promoting this resource at your organization? Go to the ADAI Clearinghouse and use the key word: “Tobacco” to find the promotional tools that are free to order or download.

If you have called the Washington State Quitline and have a question or comment about your experience, email the Department of Health.

Face-to-face counseling

Phone counseling isn't for everyone. Most health plans should cover individual, face-to-face counseling at no cost to you. If you have:

• No health insurance, the Quitline might be able to identify a free class. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
• Apple Health (Medicaid), you may only be eligible for face-to-face counseling if you are pregnant.
• Medicare, you are eligible for eight in-person visits to a qualified doctor or other Medicare-recognized practitioner within a 12-month period.
• Private insurance, your benefit depends on your health plan. Contact your health insurance carrier (or employer, if applicable) for details or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW with your plan information.

Few health plans cover group counseling, but if you are interested in group support, look for a Freedom From Smoking clinic, Freedom From Nicotine Dependence group, or Nicotine Anonymous group. The Quitline may also have recommendations. You may also be interested in online group support, part of Freedom From Smoking and the BecomeAnEX program.

If your health plan does not cover tobacco cessation counseling, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

If you don't have health insurance and want to enroll in a plan, you can start at the Washington Health Plan Finder.

You can also try free self-help options.