Partnership aims to help patients get the cover they need
There is a fierce debate across Canada about the impending legalization of marijuana – however, few would argue with its benefits among those who need it for medical purposes. Yet despite this, many patients have struggled to get the health cover they need to pay for its cost.
That is something that two companies want to change, as Bedrocan Canada teams up with Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM) to launch a personalized insurance claim concierge service.
As part of the scheme, Jonathan Zaid, who was the first man in Canada to have medical cannabis covered by group insurance, and who is the executive director at CFAMM, will work alongside Bedrocan clients in an effort to identify those who might be able to get cover within their existing plans.
In some cases, the cost of cannabis is covered by health insurance – for example, as part of the Veterans Affairs health plan. Indeed some Canadians who have injured themselves at work have been able to get cover on a case-by-case basis. Now Zaid is hoping that these positive steps can be built on.
“Medical cannabis should be covered like every other medication, yet patients often struggle to obtain coverage under their health plans,” he said. “This partnership with Bedrocan Canada, we hope will help enable patients to successfully advocate for coverage.”
Speaking in a release, Marc Wayne, the president of Bedrocan Canada, highlighted that this should be seen as a first step in a larger process.
“Our hope is this personalized service will help to identify case studies that will successfully engage insurance companies in understanding both the therapeutic and economic benefits of medical cannabis use,” he said.
“The goal is to lay the groundwork in the short term while leading to cost coverage for tens of thousands of Canadians in the long run.”
That is something that two companies want to change, as Bedrocan Canada teams up with Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM) to launch a personalized insurance claim concierge service.
As part of the scheme, Jonathan Zaid, who was the first man in Canada to have medical cannabis covered by group insurance, and who is the executive director at CFAMM, will work alongside Bedrocan clients in an effort to identify those who might be able to get cover within their existing plans.
In some cases, the cost of cannabis is covered by health insurance – for example, as part of the Veterans Affairs health plan. Indeed some Canadians who have injured themselves at work have been able to get cover on a case-by-case basis. Now Zaid is hoping that these positive steps can be built on.
“Medical cannabis should be covered like every other medication, yet patients often struggle to obtain coverage under their health plans,” he said. “This partnership with Bedrocan Canada, we hope will help enable patients to successfully advocate for coverage.”
Speaking in a release, Marc Wayne, the president of Bedrocan Canada, highlighted that this should be seen as a first step in a larger process.
“Our hope is this personalized service will help to identify case studies that will successfully engage insurance companies in understanding both the therapeutic and economic benefits of medical cannabis use,” he said.
“The goal is to lay the groundwork in the short term while leading to cost coverage for tens of thousands of Canadians in the long run.”
