SSQ Insurance to reimburse medical cannabis expenses
Insurer to adjust its new cannabis policy as legislative changes and medical advances arrive
SSQ Insurance to reimburse medical cannabis expenses
INSURANCE NEWS
By Lyle Adriano
21 Sep 2018

In response to recent legalization efforts, SSQ Insurance will be offering coverage for medical cannabis expenses starting January 01, 2019.

“This coverage, in compliance with federal law on medical marijuana use, is for those for whom traditional prescription drugs have been deemed ineffective,” SSQ Insurance senior vice-president of strategies and product management Éric Trudel in a statement.

Take a deeper dive into this issue at Cannabis Cover Masterclass Toronto.

According to a release, eligibility for the expenses incurred for purchasing medical cannabis will be determined by SSQ Insurance, to control group insurance costs. Prior authorization from SSQ Insurance will be required before coverage is given.

Only medical cannabis used to treat the following medical conditions (when standard pharmacological treatments have not worked) will be covered:

  • Chronic neuropathic pain
  • Cancer related pain
  • Spasticity secondary to multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury
  • Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy

The medical cannabis must also be prescribed by an authorized physician or nurse, and must be purchased solely from a licensed vendor duly authorized by Health Canada.

SSQ Insurance will continue to “monitor legislative changes and clinical advances in the field,” and will make adjustments to the eligibility conditions as needed.

 

Related stories:
SSQ Insurance in tie-up with Allianz firm
SSQ Insurance partners with pharmacology company to enhance group benefits

 

Free newsletter

We'll keep you up-to-date with the latest breaking news, cutting edge opinion, and expert analysis affecting both your business and the industry as whole.

Free newsletter

Our daily newsletter is FREE and keeps you up - to - date with the world of Insurance. Please complete the form below and click on subscribe for daily newsletters from IB CA.