| Many aspects of the current healthcare regulatory policy environment mandate that clinicians and healthcare systems identify, document, and treat patients who use tobacco. The 2010 Affordable Care Act mandates coverage of evidence-based tobacco use treatment. In 2012, The Joint Commission (TJC) strengthened inpatient quality performance measures to identify and treat hospitalized patients who use tobacco. Finally, payment reform is another driver of change in the healthcare landscape, one example being Accountable Care Organizations (ACO).
|