I have chronic back pain & want to use CBD oil. My primary care physician told me that if I go to the ER and have any THC in my system, then I get no Medicare coverage. Is this true?

You can get CBD oil without THC.

You don’t need a prescription for CBD oil alone. Many people swear by it, but my daughter needed it with combination THC for her rheumatoid arthritis. Medical marijuana is available in Ct. but you must first be approved by a physician in order to qualify. You then receive a state issued ID card valid for one year. I also have one as guardian and can pick up her prescriptions. Be aware though, it is a minefield getting the right combination which is very costly. Unless your state has legalized prescription marijuana, you put yourself at risk for possession. As far as CBD oil is concerned, buyer beware.
That said, I think your doc is ill informed... and is giving you bad information. I will admit most doctors aren’t on board with their patients using anything they don’t condone....and CBD oil with or without THC Is under that umbrella. Medicare won’t approve prescriptions because it is not legalized by the federal government.....thus being an out of pocket expense. But to deny you health care coverage because you indulge seems absurd.

Most ERs will only provide RX medications. In the states that do allow CBD oil, it is relatively new.

i use CBD oil under the tongue for my back pain and I think it helps a little bit but more it helps my anxiety. I don’t know what medical care rules are. Pure CBD oil does have trace amounts of THC.

Never heard of that. All marijuana based products are illegal federally, but some states have made it legal. I would not worry about it.

see: https://disa.com/blog/will-cbd-oil-result-in-a-positive-drug-test
also see: https://khn.org/news/er-coverage-alcohol-drug-use-michelle-andrews-050112/
You would need to check with medicare to find out for sure -- My medicare coverage is through Humana - so check with your insurance company to be sure.

He doesn't want you to use products that will actually help. All medical doctors poopoo any natural resources.

So sad to see people needlessly suffering and dying because big pharma makes prescription writing so lucrative that "doctors " won't even educate themselves on the benefits of integrative care.

They don't deny coverage for drug usage. They don't even check unless there is a reason.

You can use and buy CBD oil without THC. My husband uses the CBD drops and vapes the juice for restless legs and chronic knee pain.

In Central Florida, a lot of pharmacies are advertising and selling CBD products....oils, gummies, edibles, etc. in my research online about the legal cbd products, the plants are bred without thc....my sister goes to pain management for various medical issues and is treated like an addict, like so many others are. She takes a very low dose of hydrocodone 2/day....its humiliating the way pain pts are treated, and they still endure excruciating pain!!! Her dentist told her to get and try the cbd gummies or oil, and her pain mngmnt dr flipped out and said if she did, he wld dismiss her as a patient!!!! She and i both were in the medical field for many yrs and i am appalled at the way things are now!! I personally have not had med ins for 10 yrs, will b eligible for medicare in December....i live wth chronic pain from prior injuries and severe osteoarthritis and rely on otc pain meds. Have lost all hearing in my left ear because of it....not sure how thats gonna work out, i try to remain positive, but it’s difficult on bad pain days when i can barely move. But i keep putting one foot in front of the other and drive on....🤷‍♀️What else can we do??

I do not think that is true. Medicare can’t deny you coverage if you have it and of course go to a provider that accepts Medicare.

Why would they test your blood for THC as the “gate keeper” to be admitted & treated? Someone has to have a written order and have a medical rationale to have the test run.

But that’s a great suggestion...call Medicare and ask them.

There are states were recreational marijuana is legal. Some seniors smoke pot in those states and I have never heard Medicare denying payment as being an issue. Medicare will not pay for the medical marijuana products though- they are paid for out of pocket.

Medical marijuana is legal in 30+ states now. Is your state one of them? If so apply for a medical marijuana card.

CVS will begin selling CBD products soon as well as other pharmacies.

Let us know what you found!

Unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance about CBD and THC in the medical community, so always check the reality with the company you are wanting to cover you in health insurance.

Having said that, if you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal, you can apply to use the CBD/THC version, the state will give you an ID card and you are legal with coverage no matter what.

If you do not want to go through the process of applying for medical marijuana in your state so you can purchase it, then there are legal versions of CBD with almost no THC, sold on 50 states and online. The use of these will not incur any drastic issues for you or for your relationship with any insurance company.

As far as I know arriving at the ER with an unprescribed drug in your system will not affect your insurance coverage, however, I agree with the idea of calling medicare and asking them. On the other hand, if you arrive at an ER with an unprescribed drug in your system or even alcohol, you could be denied certain treatments and other medications until your blood work comes back clean. It's just their way of preventing possible interactions.

I do not believe this is true at all. Many people use marijuana which does not exclude them from medical treatment. NOW The federal prohibition on prescribing marijuana means Medicare will NOT cover the cost of medical marijuana; however, Medicare should cover the cost of other medications and treatments.

When in doubt call your Medicare representative.

You can get CBD oil without any THC in it. You just have to be careful when you get it and read the label or read the description if you’re ordering it online. There should be no problem with Medicare if you use CBD oil that does not have THC in it. Yes call Medicare and ask, that is a good idea. Green mountain hemp company has a great 600 mg product. Contact them on line and they can help. Good luck!

Yes...many Times Best from the Rest thing to Do to Get a Quick and Not so Quick Foot in the Door with MEDICARE CARE.

CBD that is sold everywhere these days has the THC extracted. If it had THC it wouldn't be legal to sell.

Medical marijuana does have THC.

I saw a program on Hulu about cooking with cannabis. There are a gazillion varieties, strengths, etc. I believe you can find out IF the CBD oil has THC.

And then just call Medicare, and ask them! You might as well get the facts from the source.

CBD comes from the hemp plant, THC is minimal and does not have the same effects as what comes from a marijuana plant. Hemp and CBD are legal at the federal level.

That said hemp is not regulated and has to be below a certain percentage of THC to be considered hemp. Since hemp is not regulated concentrations vary.

Medicare will not pay for medical marijuana in any form, even if prescribed. Perhaps that's what he means.

Why would Medicare deny you coverage? Call the patient advocate department of your local hospital and ask.