Alcohol, tobacco and drug misuse and addiction continue to affect individuals and families across Pennsylvania and the nation. Help is available to individuals and families affected by substance use.

Health Partners Plans (HPP) is committed to compassionately helping and supporting our members affected by substance use. This page contains information about resources available to our members.

Alcohol Recovery | Tobacco Cessation | Opioid Recovery

Alcohol Use and Recovery Resources

Thousands of Americans receive help for alcohol use and abuse every single day. If you’re struggling, you are not alone. Help is available if you or a family member is concerned about your drinking.

What is At-Risk Drinking?

At-risk or heavy drinking is defined as:

• More than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 per week for men
• More than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 per week for women

At-risk or heavy drinking (sometimes called binge drinking) can cause serious health problems and complications, including chronic diseases, cancer, memory and learning problems, alcohol use disorder and unintended injuries.

Alcohol and Pregnancy

No amount of alcohol is safe to use during pregnancy. Even moderate drinking can cause lifelong problems for your baby, as drinking during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

If you are trying to get pregnant, you should not drink alcohol. Stop drinking alcohol as soon as you find out that you are pregnant.

Help is Available

You can call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help right now. This free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year hotline can refer you to local treatment facilities, support groups and community organizations.

If you are an Health Partners Medicare member, call Member Relations at 1-866-901-8000 (TTY 1-877-454-8477). Our Member Relations team can connect you with a behavioral health managed care organization.

Tobacco Cessation Resources

Becoming tobacco free can be a challenge, but help is available.

Your PCP can educate you about the benefits of quitting tobacco and can prescribe you tobacco cessation products, including nicotine replacement therapies. Many providers are specially trained to help patients stop using tobacco products. Talk to your PCP about your readiness to quit.

PA Quitline

Call the Pennsylvania Free Quitline at 1-800-784-8669. The Quitline is staffed by trained counselors who coach you on your journey to a tobacco-free lifestyle; help is available 24/7. After you call, you may be eligible to receive two or more weeks of nicotine replacement therapy.

Prescription Aids to Help You Quit

HPP’s pharmacy benefits cover tobacco cessation products prescribed by a doctor. Over-the-counter medications may be another option. Members should check their plan’s formulary for the most up-to-date drug coverage. The Health Partners Medicare formularies are available online at any time.

Note: Formularies are subject to change. Please call Member Relations if you have questions about your prescription drug benefits.

Smoking During Pregnancy

Pennsylvania’s Free Quitline Pregnancy/Post-Partum Protocol can help pregnant women quit using tobacco. You will receive coaching during your pregnancy. After you deliver, your coach will help you quit and stay tobacco free. Call 1-800-784-8669 to learn more.

HPP’s Baby Partners care coordinators provide pregnant members with the help and resources they need to quit. Call 1-866-500-4571 (TTY 1-877-454-8477) to connect with our Baby Partners team.

Talk to your OB provider about using prescription medication to help you quit. These medications are safe to take during pregnancy and protect your baby from the harmful effects of tobacco.

Becoming Tobacco Free Resources

• HPP’s online resource You Can Quit Using Tobacco
• HPP’s Baby Partners program
• American Lung Association; 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872)
• Asian Smokers' Quitline
• Pennsylvania Department of Health Tobacco Resources
• SmokeFree.gov
• Smoke Free Philly

Opioid Recovery Resources

Addiction affects millions of Americans across all races and income levels. As your trusted health care partner, HPP wants to help you get support and recovery services in a compassionate environment.

What are Opioids?

Opioids are a broad group of pain-relieving drugs. They include pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as OxyContin, Vicodin, codeine, morphine and many others. Also included are illegal drugs like heroin and fentanyl.

Opioids are usually safe when you use them as prescribed by your doctor to relieve pain from injuries, surgeries and chronic conditions such as cancer. However, they can be misused and cause addiction.

What is Addiction?

Opioid addiction causes you to feel like you can’t live without an opioid. Your body craves the drug and you feel sick without it. Addiction causes a strong urge or craving to take the drug, even though it negatively affects your health and overall life. Even short-term use can lead to addiction and, too often, overdose and death.

How Can I Get help?

Centers of Excellence (COEs) address opioid addiction COEs are clinics that provide support and resources for people seeking services and treatment. When you visit a COE, you will receive treatment at no cost to you. Services include:
	One-on-one counseling Intensive group therapy and education Case management, screenings and assessments
You don’t need to talk to your doctor before visiting a COE, but you are encouraged to do so. Bring your Health Partners Plans ID card. You can make an appointment or walk in and receive the care you need. Before you go to a center, check the hours and days of operation.		Download PDF here

What is Medication Assisted Therapy?

There are medications that can help you to stop using opioids. These medications reduce cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms, so you don’t feel sick and are able to work on recovery. People who take these medications are more likely to beat their addiction, and less likely to die from an overdose if they relapse. Talk to your doctor more about medication assisted therapy.

Prescription Drug Take-back Program

If a medication is expired or no longer needed, it’s important to protect the safety of others by disposing of it properly. To get rid of unused prescription drugs safely, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs web page. Enter your ZIP code or county to find your local prescription drop-off location.

Resources

Members can call Member Relations at 1-866-901-8000 (TTY 1-877-454-8477) to be connected with help and local resources. You can also call the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Hotline at 1-800-662-4357 to speak to a professional or visit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Treating Opioid and Heroin Addiction web page for more information.