INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS HAS EXPANDED
If you have private insurance or are supported by a Quebec public agency, you could be eligible for insurance coverage for medical cannabis treatments.
Our care team supports you to find out if insurance coverage is available and works with you to optimize your medical cannabis treatment.
Find information below about medical cannabis insurance coverage from:
- Public agencies: CNESST, IVAC, SAAQ
- Benefits Programs: Veterans Affairs Canada
- Private insurance providers
Our team of Clinical Educators provides
- Administrative support with insurance coverage application process, like completing required forms.
- Support access to direct billing through your licensed seller
CNESST
COMMISSION DES NORMES, DE L’ÉQUITÉ, DE LA SANTÉ ET DE LA SÉCURITÉ AU TRAVAIL (CNESST)
In Quebec, worker’s compensation benefits are administered by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité au travail (CNESST).
The CNESST may provide coverage for medical cannabis treatments when they are recommended and supervised by a qualified healthcare practitioner. If you have an active CNESST file and would like to learn more about eligibility, reimbursement requirements, and the coverage process, consult our :
IVAC
INDEMNISATION DES VICTIMES D’ACTES CRIMINELS
The agency for Indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels (IVAC) supports victims of criminal acts and does provide coverage for medical cannabis treatments under healthcare practitioner recommendation and guidance. To find out if medical cannabis could support you on your health journey:
SAAQ
SOCIÉTÉ DE L’ASSURANCE AUTOMOBILE DU QUÉBEC
If you have been injured in a motor-vehicle accident and have a file with the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), please note that the SAAQ does not currently provide coverage for medical cannabis.
VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA
SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) provides reimbursement for cannabis for medical purposes for eligible Veterans, subject to healthcare provider authorization and applicable program requirements. Our healthcare team can help you understand the medical documentation and treatment process associated with VAC coverage.
To learn more about available support and eligibility, explore our Veteran Care Services:
PRIVATE INSURANCE PROVIDERS
The following private insurance providers offer coverage for medical cannabis treatments under specific conditions:
- Beneva
- Medavie Blue Cross
- Sunlife
- Desjardins
- Canada Life (formerly Great West)
- Manuvie
- Industrial Alliance / IA Financial
Eligibility criteria vary between each insurer and are based on your specific medical condition and history. Coverage is commonly available for patients living with symptoms associated to cancer or chemotherapy, neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, spinal cord injury, chronic pain related to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain conditions or symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
The Santé Cannabis educator team provides free personalized assessments to review eligibility for medical cannabis coverage. For patients who may qualify, our healthcare practitioners complete the required insurance application forms free of charge.
Certain unions in Quebec, such as the FSSS-CSN acknowledge medical cannabis as a treatment in their group insurance plans.
Other private insurance plans may have coverage available via a Health Spending Account. If you are a policyholder with one of these providers, contact us to get started and let us help you on this path.
Medical cannabis is medicine – and access continues to evolve
Medical cannabis may be an option for patients seeking additional support for symptom management and quality of life. Although medical cannabis is generally not covered by Quebec’s public prescription drug insurance plan (RAMQ), certain exceptions apply to approved pharmaceutical synthetic cannabinoids, such as nabilone, that appear on the RAMQ’s official List of Medications.
Our experienced care team helps patients access medical cannabis treatments, assess potential insurance coverage for medical cannabis, and optimize their treatment plan based on their individual needs. As medical cannabis research and clinical experience continue to evolve, more patients may have access to coverage through certain private and group insurance plans, including some union plans.
