Medical Cannabis Billing FAQ
What billing and credentialing services does Medwave offer medical cannabis providers?
Medwave provides a dedicated team of billing and credentialing specialists for medical marijuana practices. The team applies current ICD-10 and CPT coding so claims go out clean and get paid on the first submission. They also work to keep offices up to date with changing medical marijuana coding and billing rules.
Does insurance typically cover medical marijuana treatment?
Most insurance plans do not cover medical marijuana because the FDA has not approved it as a safe and effective treatment and it remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally. Since federal law does not require coverage, most insurers choose not to pay for it. Coverage can differ by state, as a few states with legalized medical marijuana require insurers to include it, though this is still uncommon.
Do Medicare and Medicaid cover medical marijuana?
No, Medicare and Medicaid generally do not cover medical marijuana treatment at this time. This is because cannabis stays classified as a controlled substance under federal law. Most major insurers follow this same policy and exclude it from coverage.
Can Medwave help if my cannabis practice also offers covered services?
Yes, if a medical marijuana provider performs services that are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurers, Medwave can help with credentialing and billing for those services. The team has worked with several provider groups to get credentialed and billed for internal and alternative services. Reaching out directly lets Medwave review the specific services offered.
Why is accurate coding important for medical marijuana billing?
Using current ICD-10 and CPT codes helps ensure claims are submitted correctly and paid the first time without delays or denials. Since medical marijuana billing rules change often, accurate coding keeps a practice compliant with the latest requirements. This reduces rework and supports faster, more reliable reimbursement.
What is Medwave’s main goal when working with medical cannabis offices?
Medwave’s goal is to make a medical cannabis office’s billing workflow more efficient so claim reimbursement reaches its highest possible level. The team focuses on reducing claim errors and speeding up payment turnaround. This allows providers to spend less time on billing issues and more time on patient care.
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.