How does the LiveWell Quit For Life® Program work?

Once you are enrolled, your Quit Coach will help you develop a personalized quit plan. The Quit Coach will also determine whether nicotine patches, gum, or prescription medication will be helpful for you during the quit process.

You then receive a series of self-paced Quit Guides to implement your personal quit plan (with guidance from the Quit Coach).

Participants who smoke cigarettes also receive a Welcome email with a password to Web Coach, Alere Wellbeing®’s interactive website. With Web Coach, you can:

• Track your progress and further track your personalized quit plan.
• Interact with others who are trying to quit and with Quit Coach Moderators on the discussion forums. Peer support is a key factor in success.
• Receive coaching emails between calls with tips on quitting and reminders to help you stay on track.

Who is eligible for the program?

The LiveWell Quit For Life Program is available to all Sound Health & Wellness Trust participants and covered spouses 18 years of age or older.

How much does it cost to participate in the LiveWell Quit For Life Program?

We are committed to helping our participants become free of tobacco, so we are fully subsidizing the cost of the LiveWell Quit For Life Program. Participants pay nothing for the program. Even the cost of nicotine patches or gum is fully covered. If you and your Quit Coach or doctor decide you should use a prescription medication instead of patches or gum, contact the Trust Office to find out what’s covered under your prescription drug benefit and what your co-payment would be.

Why is the Trust subsidizing this program?

We believe quitting tobacco is an important step to improve the health of our participants. The health benefits of quitting tobacco start almost immediately and continue for a lifetime. On average, people who don’t use tobacco have lower medical expenses than those who do. Our participants will enjoy better health, live longer and save money on healthcare.

What about other forms of tobacco besides cigarettes?

The Quit For Life Program is tailored to the needs of the participants. Whatever the tobacco type—cigarettes, cigars, pipes or even smokeless tobacco—LiveWell’s intensely trained Quit Coaches will work with participants to design an effective quit plan.

Is there evidence that the Quit For Life Program works?

Alere Wellbeing®, which administers the LiveWell Quit For Life Program, has helped more than 125,000 people successfully quit tobacco. In fact, Alere Wellbeing®’s quit rate is more than twice as high as the standard established by the U.S. Public Health Service and more than eight times as high as quitting “cold turkey.”

The program was first validated in 1989 through a randomized clinical trial funded by the National Cancer Institute and the University of North Carolina. The study demonstrated that the combination of self-help materials and telephone counseling boosted quit rates by 50 percent. The program has continued to conduct large, randomized trials to prove its methods and effectiveness over the years and has also received six consecutive awards from America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) for achievements in tobacco control initiatives.

Is participation in the Quit For Life Program confidential?

Yes. Participation is completely confidential. Alere Wellbeing® will not share personal health information with the Trustees, your union or your employer.

How does someone enroll in the Quit For Life Program?

Enrollment is easy—call 1.866.QUIT.4.LIFE (866.784.8454) or go to http://www.quitnow.net/soundhealthwellness/ to get started. A registration specialist will verify your eligibility to enroll and transfer you to a Quit Coach for an initial intervention.

Can I enroll again if I start using tobacco again?

Yes. We recognize that it often takes several attempts to quit tobacco for good, and that participants may start using tobacco again during the program. Participants are able to repeat the program a second time if necessary.

What are the hours for the Support Line?

You can call the toll-free Support Line anytime you need additional information or support. The line is staffed by expert Quit Coaches from 5 a.m. – 12 a.m.

How long does the program last?

The calls we make to you are typically completed within two to six months, depending on how quickly you move through the process of quitting. However, the Quit Coaches will help you establish your new tobacco-free lifestyle and provide you with ongoing support for up to 12 months after you enroll.

What if I miss my phone call from the Quit Coach?

Please call us back at a convenient time for you. Studies have shown that the more calls you complete with a Quit Coach, the more success you will have in quitting tobacco. Call 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (866-784-844).

What if I don’t have an email address?

Participants who smoke cigarettes need an email address to experience the benefit of Web Coach. If you choose to set up an email account, you will then get access to the web site. Even if you don’t use Web Coach, you will still get all scheduled calls with a Quit Coach.

Do I have to attend classes?

No. All of your counseling sessions take place over the telephone. This means you don’t have to try to find time for classes or trips to someone’s office. And, you can talk to a Quit Coach any day of the week – even Saturday or Sunday.