With the spate of states recently acting to legalize marijuana in some form, the question naturally arises: Does health insurance cover medical cannabis? Unfortunately, the answer is that medical cannabis is generally not covered by health insurance plans.
This may come as a surprise given that 37 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia allow the medical use of cannabis products. However, the reason insurance does not generally cover medical marijuana rests with the nature of the federalist system of government in the United States. While states may elect to legalize marijuana, on the federal level, it is illegal and a schedule 1 narcotic, meaning it has no medicinal value.
Although Mississippi passed a medical cannabis act making it legal for patients to receive medical marijuana for certain conditions, the federal government’s stance is that marijuana has no medicinal value. Even if the law changes and the FDA approves it for accepted medical use, you are unlikely to see health insurance cover the cost until they place medicinal marijuana on their prescription drug formulary.
What This Means for Medical Cannabis in States Where it is Legal
Despite states legalizing cannabis and marijuana for medical use, healthcare professionals may not recommend it, and insurance will not pay for it. In looking at what this means for medicinal cannabis in states where it is legal, like Mississippi, we will discuss how it works, how much its costs, and the conditions under which you can obtain medical cannabis legally.
How Medical Marijuana Works in States Where it is Legal
Since federal law prohibits healthcare providers from prescribing medical marijuana, the only way to obtain access in states where it is legal is by receiving a recommendation or a referral from a healthcare provider. The recommendation or referral will authorize you to purchase medical cannabis from a state-licensed dispensary.
How Much Medical Marijuana Costs in States Where it is Legal
Since we know the answer to the question, “does health insurance cover medical cannabis?” the next question is how much it costs in states that have legalized it. State laws vary, but in most states, the patient will have to complete the following steps and meet their associated costs before being able to purchase medical cannabis:
- Visit a healthcare provider to see if they qualify for medicinal cannabis
- Pay a fee for the medical marijuana license
- Provide a payment to use the medical marijuana license at the dispensary
Safe Acces Now issued a study indicating that patients could pay $350 just for the right to purchase medicinal marijuana. Does insurance cover medical marijuana? Unfortunately, no. However, if you qualify and live in a state where it is legal, you can obtain it.
Conditions for Which Health Professionals Commonly Make Medical Marijuana Referrals
Medical studies have suggested that marijuana has potential medicinal value in some areas. Specifically, the Institute of Medicine found that it has potential therapeutic value for pain, nausea, vomiting, and appetite stimulation. Similarly, other studies have found possible uses in relieving some symptoms associated with:
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- Multiple sclerosis
Healthcare providers typically make referrals for the same or similar ailments — namely, anoxia, multiple sclerosis, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, healthcare providers may also make medicinal marijuana referrals for the following qualifying conditions:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Depression
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Glaucoma
- Insomnia
- Parkinson’s disease
If you have any of these conditions and think medicinal marijuana may help you, speak to your healthcare provider about it. It is now legal to obtain in Mississippi with a medical marijuana license.
Obtaining Medical Cannabis Legally
Although Mississippi legalized medical cannabis, there is a list of cities out of the medical marijuana program. If you live in Mississippi, check to see if your city did not opt out. Even if it did, we can help.
Finally, we answered the question, does health insurance cover medical cannabis? Unfortunately, no. However, if you live in Mississippi, you may legally obtain it at LeafMed. Call our licensed team at 228-335-5323 for assistance.