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MPAAT Announces New QUITPLAN(R) Services Centralized Call Center

Posted on: Monday, 14 August 2006, 12:00 CDT

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco announced the launch of a new centralized call center for QUITPLAN Services. For the first time, callers will be able to receive information about all of the QUITPLAN stop-smoking options available to them through a single phone number-1-888-354-PLAN (7526).

Options will be based on their insurance coverage, community of residence and service preferences. Callers will be able to make informed choices about the intensity and types of services that are best for them. If appropriate, they may also be given access to free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges through either the QUITPLAN Helpline or a QUITPLAN Center. Callers with existing coverage for telephone counseling will be connected to their health plans' counseling services.

"Since the original Helpline was launched in 2001, we've worked to improve and make QUITPLAN Services accessible to all Minnesotans," said David Willoughby, MPAAT Chief Executive Officer. "The new centralized call center will provide additional resources for tobacco users and help them achieve their goal of quitting."

The centralized call center was developed and will be operated by Leade Health, Inc., a health promotion and disease management company with experience in tobacco cessation and telephone coaching. Leade Health created the call center interface, necessary software and the centralized electronic database used to store information. The company has served nearly 34,000 tobacco users in other states.

QUITPLAN(R) Services for Minnesotans include: -- The QUITPLAN Helpline - The QUITPLAN Helpline, 1-888-354-PLAN, offers telephone counseling and free nicotine patches, lozenges or gum to eligible callers. -- quitplan.com - The website offers free lifetime membership, helpful quitting tools and activities and the chance to connect online with thousands of others who have chosen to quit tobacco. -- QUITPLAN Centers - The QUITPLAN Centers provide in-person counseling in a healthcare setting, as well as access to nicotine patches, lozenges or gum.

QUITPLAN Services have been effective at helping people quit tobacco use. Research shows that QUITPLAN users are up to seven times more likely to quit than if they tried on their own. More than 38,000 callers have used the QUITPLAN Helpline in the past five years, and nearly 8,000 people have quit smoking, saving more than $24.3 million in health care costs.

About MPAAT

MPAAT is an independent, non-profit organization that improves the health of Minnesotans by reducing the harm caused by tobacco. MPAAT serves Minnesota through its grant-making program, QUITPLAN(R) stop-smoking services and statewide outreach activities. It is funded with three percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement. For more information on the grants or QUITPLAN Services, call 952-767-1400 or visit http://www.mpaat.org/ .

About Leade Health

Founded in 1990, based in An Arbor, Michigan, Leade Health specializes in Health Coaching in the areas of Weight Management, Stress Management, Tobacco Cessation, and Cardiovascular Health. Leade Health has earned a reputation for partnership integrity, product innovation and program impact. Leade Health's success rates from its signature Health Coaching model achieve outcome results that exceed national norms.

Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco

CONTACT: Mike Sheldon, Communications Manager, of Minnesota Partnershipfor Action Against Tobacco, +1-952-767-1425

Web site: http://quitplan.com/http://www.mpaat.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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