Medical Cannabis Billing FAQ
What billing and credentialing services does Medwave offer medical cannabis providers?
Medwave provides a team of billing and credentialing specialists who work with medical marijuana primary care providers and specialists. They apply current ICD-10 and CPT coding to keep claims clean and get them paid on the first submission. Their goal is to make office workflows more efficient so reimbursement is maximized.
Is medical marijuana covered by insurance?
Medical marijuana is typically not covered by insurance because the FDA has not approved it as a safe and effective treatment for any condition. It remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, so insurers are not required to pay for it. Most insurance companies choose not to cover it as a result.
Do Medicaid and Medicare cover medical marijuana treatment?
Most major insurers along with Medicaid and Medicare do not currently cover medical marijuana treatment. This is because cannabis remains a controlled substance at the federal level. Coverage rules have not changed broadly across these programs.
Does coverage for medical marijuana vary by state?
Yes, coverage can vary by state since some states have legalized medical marijuana and passed laws requiring insurance companies to cover it. This is not yet a widespread practice across the country. Providers should check their specific state rules to see how this applies to their patients.
Can Medwave help if my cannabis practice also offers other medical services?
Yes, if a medical marijuana provider performs services covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or other insurers, Medwave can help with credentialing and billing for those services. They have worked with a number of provider groups to bill for internal and alternative services beyond cannabis treatment itself. Providers are encouraged to reach out directly to discuss their specific services.
Why is current ICD-10 and CPT coding important for medical marijuana billing?
Using up-to-date ICD-10 and CPT codes helps ensure that claims submitted by medical cannabis offices are accurate and clean. This reduces the chance of denials and supports faster payment on the first submission. Medwave’s team stays current on these coding guidelines specific to medical marijuana practices.
Medical Cannabis (Marijuana) Billing & Credentialing
Medwave has a dedicated team of medical billing and credentialing experts to help you maximize your office’s reimbursement and keep you up-to-date with today’s ever changing medical marijuana billing and coding regulations. Our team is experienced and well educated in the medical billing and coding guidelines of medical marijuana primary care providers and specialists and has firsthand experience working to get your claims paid fast and efficiently. Our sole objective is to move your medical cannabis office to a more efficient and effective work process so that your claims reimbursement is at its maximum. Utilizing the most current ICD-10 and CPT coding ensures that your office’s claims are clean and paid the first time.
Medical marijuana is not typically covered by insurance because it is not recognized as a medicine by the federal government. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved medical marijuana as a safe and effective treatment for any medical condition, and it remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Because of this, insurance companies are not required to cover it and most choose not to. This may vary by state, as some states have legalized medical marijuana and have laws that require insurance companies to cover it, but this is not yet a widespread trend.
*Currently, most major insurers and Medicaid / Medicare do not cover medical marijuana treatment, since cannabis is a controlled substance on the federal level. However, if you’re a medical marijuana provider and perform services that are covered by the aforementioned insurers (no matter what they are), then reach out to us. We’ve helped a number of groups get credentialed and bill for internal, alternative services.