Insurance Companies Won't Cover Medical Cannabis In Canada, Why The Change?

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In an article by the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, they explain what Canada is missing out on as a result of not being able to produce cannabis as a medicine because the Canadian government bans it. It's too bad that there isn't medical cannabis production in Canada.

Medical Marijuana has been legal in Canada since 2001

Over the years, it has become increasingly popular as a form of treatment for various medical conditions. However, one question that many people have is whether or not insurance companies will cover marijuana treatments.

As of October 17, 2018, it appears that insurance companies are starting to change their stance on coverage for medical cannabis treatments. Previously, most insurers had refused to cover medical marijuana treatments due to its illegal status under Canadian law.

However, with the legalization of cheap weed online, this is no longer an issue. In fact, many insurance companies are now offering coverage for medical marijuana treatments due to the positive effects that they can have on patients' health.

If you are suffering from a condition that can be treated with marijuana, it is important to talk to your insurance company about coverage. They may be able to help you find a policy that covers your treatment.

Cannabis For Patients Act

In Canada, there is a big difference between medical cannabis and recreational cannabis. Recreational cannabis is federally legal, whereas medical cannabis is not federally legal. This has led to different insurance companies refusing to cover medical cannabis in Canada. 

The Cannabis for Patients Act was introduced in the House of Commons on October 26th, 2017, by MP Bill Blair. The bill would make it federally legal for Canadians to obtain and use medical cannabis. If passed, this would go a long way in fixing the issue of insurance companies refusing to cover medical cannabis in Canada. 

Currently, there are a number of private health insurers that cover medical marijuana prescriptions in Canada. However, because recreational cannabis is federally illegal, these insurers are not willing to cover medical cannabis prescriptions that are associated with recreational cannabis use. 

If the Cannabis for Patients Act passes, this will change. Under the proposed bill, Canadians would still be able to obtain and use medical cannabis products as long as they have a prescription from a healthcare provider. This would eliminate the issue of insurance companies refusing to cover medical marijuana prescriptions because of their association with recreational cannabis use. 

Good Reasons for Insurance Companies not to Cover Medical Marijuana

Insurance companies in Canada have largely stayed away from covering medical cannabis because of the lack of research on the drug's effectiveness. However, there are a few good reasons why insurers might choose not to cover medical cannabis in the future. 

The first is that there is still very little research on the long-term effects of using medical cannabis. While some studies suggest that it has potential benefits, others suggest that it could be harmful. This lack of clarity could lead to insurers refusing to cover medical cannabis if it were to become more widely used.

Another reason is that there is a lack of clarity around how much marijuana is needed to treat a specific condition. For example, one study found that only a quarter of people who used medical marijuana reported experiencing a therapeutic effect. This means that many people may be claiming benefits they do not actually experience. If an insurer covered medical cannabis based on claims data like this, it could end up being very expensive for patients.

Will Canadian companies take the step if insurance companies are making it difficult?

Insurance companies are refusing to cover medical cannabis in Canada, and the reason for this change is still unknown. Although some people believe that this new stance is because of the drug's controversial nature, it's more likely that insurance companies are just trying to stay away from a potentially risky business. 

This is a problem because many people who need medical cannabis don't have any other options. They may be unable to find coverage through their provincial health insurance program or they may not be able to afford the high costs of private insurance. 

Fortunately, there are some solutions for people who find themselves in this situation. For example, they can try forming a cannabis collective, or they can look into ways to get coverage through a government program like Medicare.

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