Renewed reflection on medical cannabis

October 17, 2018 is undoubtedly a date that will go down in history.  The legalization of cannabis is a hot-button issue that has raised concerns and calls back into question the guidelines governing the use of medical cannabis, which has been legal since 2001.

Cannabis for medical use is reimbursed by most insurers through their health spending accounts. Many insurers have also adjusted their offer by introducing different levels of coverage out of the eligible expenses under health care insurance. Naturally, eligible expenses are for treating very specific medical conditions, such as chronic neuropathic pain, cancer-related pain, nausea and vomiting and spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis. The addition of such coverage may potentially lead to a decrease in opioids used for pain management.

Medical research is currently under way to confirm the type of cannabis, the dosage of active ingredients (CBD and THC) and the route of administration (inhalation, oil or capsule) that are the most effective according to patients’ medical conditions. Indeed, insurers do not systematically consider medical cannabis users as smokers since the route of administration is not necessarily by inhalation, but often by oral or digestive route.

It is up to your organization to decide, in the same way it decided on expenses related to massage therapy, acupuncture or naturopathy. There are some elements to reflect on to help you make a sound decision: on the one hand, the alignment of adding this type of coverage with your organizational values, the group benefits plan and the principles that guided the total reward offer, and, on the other hand, the profile and needs of the plan’s members. Naturally, we strongly recommended weighing the pros and cons of different scenarios.

While some organizations have made it known that they would not cover cannabis-related expenses, others have an entirely different view.

While reflection on coverage of medicinal cannabis is hardly new, it’s been revived due to the recent legalization of recreational cannabis. To make the best decisions, it may be wise to take a step back on the issue and allow insurers to adjust their offer for a broader perspective on the matter.

Would you like more information?
Contact your Normandin Beaudry consultant or email us