The post Are Cannabis Products Covered By Health Insurance? appeared first on High Times.
Good news! Today, over half of the US— that’s 29 US states and 3 territories— have legalized medical cannabis for their residents. The bad news? Medical marijuana patients must still cough up the cash to cover their own medication. That’s right. Because of federal prohibition, there are no cannabis products covered by health insurance.
Health Insurance and Federal Law
Federal law still considers cannabis to be a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Because medical treatment must be approved by the FDA, health insurers won’t foot the bill for a single sticky nug of medical green until marijuana is reclassified.
Instead, some insurance companies offer coverage for legal alternatives to medical marijuana. For AIDS or chemotherapy patients, insurers cover substitutes like the synthetic THC imitation Marinol for nausea and appetite loss. Unfortunately, these alternate drugs cause sleep issues, depression, and headaches. Generally, with medical cannabis, patients can avoid these typical side effects.
No matter what, there aren’t any cannabis products covered by health insurance. Not even nonpsychoactive CBD products. However, on a state-by-state basis, alternatives and cost-saving opportunities can help lessen some of the costs of being a medical marijuana patient. Recently, New York State ordered insurers to cover any medical visit involving a medical marijuana certification. Still, the main reason for the doctor visit cannot be the only the certification itself. Similarly, many states offer sliding scale fees for obtaining a medical card. These helpful programs reduce the hassle of fees incurred simply by becoming a medical marijuana patient.
Worker’s Compensation May Help Cover MMJ
Though only a minority demographic benefits, states’