What’s the Value of Medical Marijuana and Why Don’t Private Insurers Cover It?
Value of Medical Marijuana
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of medical marijuana or medical cannabis and yet, the reasons why medical marijuana is not covered by commercial insurance and whether this is likely to change in the future.
What Are the Benefits of Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana, also known as medical cannabis, is a form of treatment that uses the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its extracts to treat a variety of medical conditions. In recent years, medical marijuana has gained recognition as a viable alternative to traditional treatments for many medical conditions.
Let’s explore some of the benefits of medical marijuana and why it has become such a popular treatment option:
- Pain Management
Medical marijuana is commonly used to manage chronic pain, which can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Medical marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing chronic pain and reducing the need for prescription pain medications, which can have dangerous side effects. - Seizure Control
Medical marijuana has been used to treat seizures for many years, and recent studies have confirmed its efficacy in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures. In particular, a compound found in medical marijuana called cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to be effective in treating seizures in children with severe epilepsy. - Anxiety and Depression Management
Medical marijuana has also been shown to be effective in managing anxiety and depression. In particular, medical marijuana has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Medical marijuana has also been shown to reduce symptoms of depression in patients with major depressive disorder. - Appetite Stimulation
Medical marijuana is commonly used to stimulate appetite in patients with conditions that cause significant weight loss, such as cancer and AIDS. Medical marijuana has been shown to be effective in increasing appetite and reducing the symptoms of nausea and vomiting in patients with these conditions. - Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Medical marijuana has also been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including muscle spasms and muscle stiffness. Medical marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing muscle spasms and improving mobility in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Medical marijuana has become a popular treatment option for many medical conditions due to its numerous benefits. Whether it’s used to manage pain, seizures, anxiety and depression, stimulate appetite, or treat multiple sclerosis, medical marijuana has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment option for many patients. While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of medical marijuana, there is no denying its growing popularity as a viable alternative to traditional treatments.
Why isn’t Medical Marijuana Covered by Insurance?
The main reason that medical marijuana is not covered by insurance is because it is still considered a Schedule I substance under federal law. This classification means that it is illegal under federal law and has no recognized medical benefits. This has made it difficult for insurance companies to cover medical marijuana, as they would be in violation of federal law if they did so.
Another reason is that medical marijuana has not been rigorously tested and approved by the FDA like other medications. This lack of clinical evidence makes it difficult for insurance companies to determine its efficacy and safety, and makes it difficult to establish a reimbursement process.
Will Medical Marijuana be Covered by Private Insurers in the Future?
It is currently uncertain when insurance companies will cover medical marijuana. There have been some recent developments that could potentially change the status of medical marijuana and make it more likely for it to be covered by commercial insurance companies.
The use of medical cannabis remains a controversial and complicated issue, as it is still considered a Schedule I substance under federal law, which means it is illegal under federal law and has no recognized medical benefits. This classification makes it difficult for insurance companies to cover medical cannabis, as they would be in violation of federal law if they did so.
However, some states have passed legislation requiring insurance companies to cover medical cannabis, but these laws are currently being challenged in court. Additionally, there is a growing body of research and clinical evidence supporting the use of medical cannabis for certain medical conditions, which could eventually lead to its recognition by the insurance industry.
For example, some states have passed legislation requiring insurance companies to cover medical marijuana, but these laws are currently being challenged in court. Additionally, there is a growing body of research and clinical evidence supporting the use of medical marijuana for certain medical conditions, which could eventually lead to its recognition by the FDA and insurance companies.
However, until the federal law changes and medical marijuana is no longer considered a Schedule I substance, it is unlikely that commercial insurance companies will cover it.
Conclusion
At this time, medical marijuana is not covered by commercial insurance companies (medical marijuana billing fails to exist as of today), which means that patients are responsible for paying for their medication out of pocket. While there have been some recent developments that could change this in the future, it is uncertain whether medical marijuana will ever be covered by insurance. Until the federal law changes, it will likely remain an out-of-pocket expense for patients who use it for medical purposes.
Contact Medwave to ask us how we can better assist your medical practice and medical billing requirements.
