To better understand the scope and magnitude of tobacco control strategies, the National Technical Assistance Office for Addressing Tobacco in Managed Care (NTAO/ATMC) conducted a survey of managed care pregnancy initiatives in 1999. A one-page survey was faxed to 147 plan medical directors identified as having a pregnancy-specific strategy by the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP). One hundred and three medical directors responded of which 88 plans said they had an active tobacco strategy. A phone interview was conducted with the tobacco coordinator or most knowledgeable person. Sixty-nine percent of plans had a tobacco strategy specifically targeting pregnant women. The remaining plans targeted all members including pregnant women. Strategies have been in place for an average of two years. Forty percent used the AHCPR smoking cessation guidelines to design their programs. Half of the programs were linked to quality improvement efforts. The number and cost of low birth weight babies (77%), the demand from providers (67%) and the demand from patients (59%) were the top three reasons why plans initiated programs. Lack of patient interest (33%), lack of system to identify smokers (28%) and competing priorities in the prenatal clinic (28%) were the leading barriers reported. NTAO/ATMC was established to provide guidance and resources to health plans to initiate or improve upon tobacco control programs. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's funds this initiative which is directed by the American Association of Health Plans in conjunction with HAP (Health Alliance Plan) of Detroit, Michigan.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to describe the ATMC survey of pregnancy initiatives within managed care. 2. Explain key components of managed care tobacco in pregnancy initiatives. 3. Enumerate the successes and barriers of tobacco in pregnancy initiatives
Keywords: Pregnancy, Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.