Donate to Project Health
A Program of the
Indianapolis Medical Society Foundation
Two free tobacco cessation programs in Indiana work hand-in-hand to help patients stop using tobacco. The Indiana Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QuitNow) is a free, telephone-based, tobacco cessation program for all residents of Indiana, 18 years old and over. Specially trained Quit Coaches work with the user to develop an individualized quit plan. Patients can call 1-800-QuitNow directly or they may be referred via FAX by a health care provider who is a Preferred Provider within the Quit Now Network. A Preferred Provider receives:
Fax Referral Privileges plus FAX forms; the initial call is made by a Quit Coach™ to the tobacco user.
Status reports on fax referred patients: did the patient answer the Quitline call, enroll in the program and/or plan a quit date.
Free Quitline literature for patient and provider use.
There is no charge for these services. To enroll as a Preferred Provider go to: www.in.gov/quitline/2358.htm. For more information, contact Lynne Arrowsmith, RRT, Tobacco Cessation Specialist, Marion County Public Health Dept. at 317-221-2084; larrowsmith@hhcorp.org.
Funding to the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission at the Indiana State Department of Health comes from Indiana's portion of the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement. In 1998, 46 states settled with several tobacco companies for misleading marketing claims and loss of life and medical expenses through Medicaid.
The Quitline provides an intensive counseling option not feasible in busy clinic environments. Counseling in combination with a FDA approved cessation medication creates the strongest chance of cessation success. TPC's cessation specialists provide additional advice and consultation.
Are you having a problem with poor-quality MRIs or other tests as a result of an insurance company phoning patients with a lower cost option? The Insurance Commissioner has a great response regarding this type of complaint. Always contact the Insurance Commissioner with similar insurance company complaints. The complaint form is located here.
IMS Members, please Ask Your Colleagues to join you in making the practice of medicine better for patients and physicians!
The IMS needs your support & the support of your colleagues to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of your patients.
Ask them to help "Carry the Load" for organized medicine in Indiana.
We've developed a template letter for you to send or email to your colleagues. If you have questions, please phone the IMS at (317) 639-3406 for more information.
The IMS wants to feature the creative talents of our Members. Please send your photographs or images of your creative work to Mhadley@imsonline.org for posting on our Talent Gallery and for use in the IMS Bulletin and other publications.