EX Program

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

So, your company is ready to implement an incentive or a tobacco surcharge on insurance for employees who use tobacco products. The next task at hand is identifying individuals eligible for the incentive or premium discount. To achieve this, many organizations rely on self-reported data through a tobacco attestation form. But how do you ensure [.] Read More. from How to Ensure Honesty on a Tobacco Attestation Form The post How to Ensure Honesty on a Tobacco Attestation Form appeared first on EX

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EX Program

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Helping members quit tobacco offers many advantages to your health plan, including improved health outcomes, lower costs of care, and healthier families. While the benefits of quitting tobacco are widely known, you may still see low engagement in the tobacco cessation program you offer. You are not alone. See impactful and proven initiatives that change [.

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Strategy 52

EX Program

JANUARY 25, 2024

Doctors and nurses who smoke can affect more than your organization’s healthcare costs; they can influence the quality of care for patients, too. Healthcare professionals are some of the most influential employees for a clinic, hospital, or health care system. They impact everything from the work environment to patient satisfaction and behavior. Having healthcare professionals [.

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System 52

EX Program

JANUARY 17, 2024

Everyone knows the risks of smoking while pregnant, but what about the risks of vaping while pregnant? As the prevalence of e-cigarette use among young adults increases, the likelihood of vaping among women of reproductive age also increases. Studies show up to 7% of pregnant women use e-cigarettes. However, this percentage is likely an underestimate [.

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Study 52

EX Program

JANUARY 3, 2024

About 70% of EX Program employer clients use some form of quit tobacco-incentive or surcharge. Here’s why: When implemented successfully, a surcharge can motivate people to act who might not feel confident about quitting or might not be interested in quitting right now. An incentive can also guide tobacco users to resources that effectively boost [.

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Resources 40

EX Program

JANUARY 3, 2024

Every day, millions of U.S. adults struggle with tobacco addiction. At Truth Initiative, we’re on a mission to change this. Our vision is to create a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Inspired by Mayo Clinic’s effective on-site treatment model for tobacco addiction, we partnered with Mayo Clinic to create EX [.] Read More. from Empowering Quitters: A Year in Review of EX Program’s Impact on Tobacco Addiction The post Empowering Quitters: A Year in Review of EX Program’

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ATS 52

EX Program

JANUARY 3, 2024

Motivating tobacco users to quit or attempt to quit is a priority for over 50% of employers, often achieved through various incentives, including tobacco surcharges. Optimizing the premium differential, along with effective communication on how to eliminate it, can significantly boost the number of individuals attempting to quit. As you assess your benefits to enhance [.

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How To 52

EX Program

DECEMBER 4, 2023

[.] Read More. from Former Smoker Shares How She Quit Menthol Cigarettes The post Former Smoker Shares How She Quit Menthol Cigarettes appeared first on EX Program.

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EX Program

DECEMBER 5, 2023

Everyone knows smoking causes lung cancer. But what about smoking and breast cancer? Or smoking and bladder cancer? Many employers may not be aware of how many cancers are linked to tobacco use—and how much that may be costing. Cancer costs today are increasingly top of mind for employers as they look to contain healthcare [.] Read More. from Smoking and Cancer: More Than Just Lung Cancer The post Smoking and Cancer: More Than Just Lung Cancer appeared first on EX Program.

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EX Program

DECEMBER 4, 2023

As part of its commitment to trailblaze addiction treatment, the EX Program introduced a powerful new feature in its EX Community: Live Events. Embarking on the journey to quit tobacco is no easy feat, and the EX Community has been a steadfast companion for individuals navigating the challenges of addiction for over a decade. Now, [.] Read More. from EX Community’s New Live Events Expand Support in Quit Smoking Support Groups The post EX Community’s New Live Events Expand Support in Quit Smoking

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Groups 40

EX Program

DECEMBER 4, 2023

Need ideas on how to inspire more individuals to stop smoking, vaping, and nicotine use? Our quit-smoking calendar can help. Smart employers and health plans know that offering the right nicotine addiction program is just the start. The magic happens in the way you ensure tobacco users know effective help is easily accessible. Get tips [.] Read More. from Tip Sheet: Inspire More to Quit with 2024 Quit-smoking Calendar The post Tip Sheet: Inspire More to Quit with 2024 Quit-smoking Calendar appea

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How To 96

EX Program

NOVEMBER 29, 2023

When you explore interventions to quit smoking, you might see programs that claim to be “tailored” or specially designed for certain groups or populations. But are these programs more effective in enrolling and engaging individuals? As a councilmember of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco’s Health Equity Network, I am deeply committed to [.

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Groups 52

EX Program

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

[.] Read More. from More addictive and harder to quit: Health groups want Black menthol smokers to know support groups can help The post More addictive and harder to quit: Health groups want Black menthol smokers to know support groups can help appeared first on EX Program.

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Groups 52

EX Program

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Persons with serious mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or recurrent major depression) are three times more likely to smoke tobacco than are persons in the general U.S. population. Smoking is the strongest preventable risk factor for the 10- to 15-year shortened life span of persons with serious mental illness. Helping these smokers quit is [.

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EX Program

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Quitting menthol cigarettes after 40 years of smoking is a huge achievement, on par with buying a first home or getting married. It’s absolutely life changing. Just ask Millie of the Bronx, New York. She started smoking menthol cigarettes when she was 15 years old because it was the ‘cool thing’ to do. She’s been [.] Read More. from Get Inspired: Millie’s Journey to Quitting Menthol Cigarettes The post Get Inspired: Millie’s Journey to Quitting Menthol Cigarettes appeared first on EX Program.

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EX Program

OCTOBER 11, 2023

Do high employee healthcare costs haunt you? The effects of employee vaping and smoking might have a bigger impact than you think. Everyone knows the typical health complications of tobacco use. But there are surprising—and lesser known—impacts of vaping and smoking likely lurking in your healthcare claims. Join us for a short 30-minute webinar on [.

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EX Program

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

You may have seen news about low nicotine cigarettes. That’s because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already authorized one brand of low nicotine cigarettes. The FDA has also indicated that it plans to create a rule that would require ALL cigarettes to have non-addictive levels of nicotine. Requiring all cigarettes to have non-addictive levels [.

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EX Program

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Many of us are used to seeing smoking and alcohol literally go hand-in-hand. On the patios at bars, at music festivals, and in movies when someone is feeling stressed or down. But smoking and alcohol are a dangerous combination, and not just because of the increased health risks. Called “poly-use,” the interplay between nicotine and [.] Read More. from 4 Key Facts about Smoking and Alcohol The post 4 Key Facts about Smoking and Alcohol appeared first on EX Program.

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ATS 98

EX Program

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 5, 2023) – For the first time, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven program is being deployed to help adults nationwide quit smoking, vaping, and using nicotine. The EX® Program from Truth Initiative, the leading digital health program for tobacco addiction for employers and health plans, announced this week the launch of Scout, the [.

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EX Program

AUGUST 21, 2023

Many health risks of smoking are well-known, such as increased risk for cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. But there are lesser-known effects of smoking that can lead to significant costs for employers, too. Here’s a major example: hearing loss. Links Between Smoking and Hearing Loss It may seem strange that smoking could be connected [.

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Examples Wellness 98

EX Program

AUGUST 7, 2023

When we participated in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Cancer Moonshot Smoking Cessation Forum last June, one priority was front and center throughout the meeting: the need to eliminate the marked disparities in smoking-related morbidity and mortality. Certain populations and communities are still disproportionately impacted by smoking and critically need support to quit tobacco.

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Meeting 52

EX Program

AUGUST 3, 2023

You’ve likely seen reports that the overall U.S. smoking rate has significantly declined in the past 2 decades. But that statement alone doesn’t tell the whole story. In many communities—where employees live and work—tobacco use remains high. In fact, smoking prevalence is nearly 50% higher in a group of Midwestern and Southern states compared to [.

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Groups Report 98

EX Program

JULY 18, 2023

HIV and smoking are a costly and deadly combination that absorbs significant Medicaid dollars. In 2022, the federal government spent an estimated $13 billion on Medicaid services for people with HIV. Additionally, state Medicaid spending totaled an estimated $5.4 billion in the same year. Antiretroviral therapies have provided the ability to live longer for those [.

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EX Program

JULY 11, 2023

Loneliness is known to affect many aspects of employee health…but is it as deadly as smoking? Loneliness is described as a state of mind linked to wanting human contact but feeling alone. It is associated with serious medical conditions as well as higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. In America, loneliness is making headlines [.] Read More. from Is Loneliness as Harmful as Smoking?

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Wellness 69

EX Program

JULY 6, 2023

You just invested in a new tobacco cessation program. Your next challenge is to get the word out to the people that need it. Which tactics will you use…a quit smoking poster, a flyer, or maybe a lunch-and-learn? These strategies all have their role and will reach some of your population, some of the time. [.] Read More. from Exciting New Partnership to Drive Uptake in Digital Health Using AI The post Exciting New Partnership to Drive Uptake in Digital Health Using AI appeared first on EX Program

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Strategy Compliance Training 98

EX Program

JUNE 21, 2023

There is a common misconception that smoking helps people deal with stress. But the truth is that smoking doesn’t actually help reduce stress. Most health plans continuously look for new ways to help members live healthier lives. But too often, health plans don’t focus enough on one proven way to help members reduce stress and [.] Read More. from Health Plan Tip Sheet: How to Help Members with “Stress Smoking” The post Health Plan Tip Sheet: How to Help Members with “Stress Smoking”

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How To 52

EX Program

JUNE 12, 2023

In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new statistics about smoking and tobacco use among U.S. adults. The main finding was a headline-grabbing conclusion that cigarette smoking continues to decline. That’s welcome news but it doesn’t tell the whole story. See 3 facts from the CDC’s new statistics about smoking and [.

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EX Program

MAY 25, 2023

Introduction We determined whether a tobacco cessation intervention targeting brief perioperative abstinence (“quit for a bit”) increased engagement of surgical patients with treatment compared with an intervention targeting long-term postoperative abstinence (“quit for good”). Aims and Methods Surgical patients who smoke were stratified according to intended duration of postoperative abstinence, and then randomized within strata [.

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EX Program

MAY 15, 2023

After the Met Gala on May 1, “Doja Cat vape” started to trend in Google. Here’s a likely reason why. The Met Gala is well known for its over-the-top displays of fashion, and the latest event was no exception. This year, though, rapper Doja Cat drew attention for more than her sleek outfit: She was [.] Read More. from Why the Trending Search Term “Doja Cat Vape” Is a Big Deal The post Why the Trending Search Term “Doja Cat Vape” Is a Big Deal appeared first on EX Program.

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Trends Wellness 92

EX Program

MAY 11, 2023

Have you ever talked about a group of employees using these phrases: “I think [a group of people] are foolish.” “Some people who [engage in a behavior] may be smart, but most of them aren’t.” “I dislike [a group of people].” Think these phrases are derogatory or judgmental? It might surprise you to learn that [.] Read More. from What is a Social Consequence of Using Tobacco?

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Groups Compliance Training 94

EX Program

APRIL 27, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 27, 2023) – Two leading organizations in digital health, the EX® Program from Truth Initiative®, the most validated digital health program for tobacco addiction for employers, and Sesh, a leading mental health platform, announced a partnership today to address top drivers of healthcare costs among employers and health plans. “As more people [.

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Planning Tools 52

EX Program

APRIL 26, 2023

Empathy can be powerful in any type of setting. Defined as the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing, communicating with empathy can be especially powerful with driving smoking cessation outcomes. Unlike sympathy—which is similar but puts a degree of separation between people— empathy is about fostering connection in a way that’s [.

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EX Program

JANUARY 30, 2023

The EX Program partners with numerous Medicaid health plans, including ones in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Since partnering with the EX Program, these Medicaid health plans have increased member engagement in quitting tobacco. For example, with one health plan client, the EX Program drove a 70% increase in 2022 member enrollments over 2021 numbers, [.

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Examples Case Study Study 40

EX Program

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

No surprise: the need for employee mental health support remains a top priority for employers in 2023. But not everyone is using healthy means to cope with today’s unrelenting stress. Cigarette sales in the U.S. have been higher than expected after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. During the pandemic, 28% of former smokers [.] Read More. from 4 Myths about Tobacco Use and Employee Mental Health The post 4 Myths about Tobacco Use and Employee Mental Health appeared first on EX Pr

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EX Program

FEBRUARY 9, 2023

If your company has a tobacco use surcharge and an employee who smokes moves without your knowledge to a state that prohibits tobacco surcharges, is your company at risk? It’s a good question. In a recent blog post, I addressed how employers with tobacco use policies can—and can’t—handle enforcing those policies when an employee works [.] Read More. from Tobacco Use Surcharge Issues When Remote Employees Secretly Work in Different States The post Tobacco Use Surcharge Issues When Remote Employee

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Policies Company ATS 40

EX Program

FEBRUARY 14, 2023

Wonder how to motivate someone to quit smoking, especially when they’re not ready to quit? The good news is most people who smoke do want to quit. But sometimes what it takes to motivate someone to quit isn’t the same thing that helps someone stay quit. This is why it’s best to offer several elements [.] Read More. from How to Motivate Someone to Quit Smoking—and Stay Quit The post How to Motivate Someone to Quit Smoking—and Stay Quit appeared first on EX Program.

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How To 40

EX Program

MARCH 1, 2023

With nearly 1 in 5 Tennessee residents smoking, city regulations take effect prohibiting indoor smoking and vaping in 21+ establishments. WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 1, 2023) – More than 30 million adults nationwide still smoke, and nearly 70% of smokers want to quit. According to a recent study in JAMA Open Network, quit attempts among adult [.] Read More. from Nashville Bar Owner Shares Journey to Quit Nicotine As Smoke-Free Ordinance Goes into Effect The post Nashville Bar Owner Shares Journey to

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