Nowadays, most people are suffering from a disease, and the name is none other than “depression.” Even some people are committing suicide due to depression. Moreover, you can see some people who always remain overly anxious over something.
But the great news is that to combat depression and anxiety, science has provided you with a wand called “CBD oil.” You can use this medication to overcome anxiety and depression. I already used CBD oil, and it gave me an amazing result.
Are you wondering about ‘does insurance cover CBD?’ Do not worry because you will get the detailed answer in this article. Keep reading it.
CBD: The Overview
Cannabis sativa, usually referred to as cannabis or hemp, contains a substance called CBD or cannabidiol. The United States has approved one certain kind of CBD as a medication for epilepsy.
The plant named ‘Cannabis Sativa’ contains more than 80 cannabinoids. The most well-known component of marijuana or cannabis is THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
However, hemp, a kind of Cannabis sativa that contains only minimal quantities of THC, is where CBD is produced. Although they differ from THC’s effects, CBD has some impacts on some brain chemicals.
CBD in a prescribed form is employed to treat epilepsy. In addition to these purposes, you can also utilize CBD to treat dystonia, pain, anxiety, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and several other illnesses. But there is not any reliable scientific data to support these claims.
The sale of hemp and hemp-based goods in the US is now permitted due to laws established in 2018. But not all CBD goods made from cannabis are approved. CBD is a recognized prescribed drug, so adding it to food or nutritional supplements is illegal.
CBD is restricted to ‘cosmetic’ items only. However, there remain CBD items available on the market with nutritional supplement labels. These items occasionally contain more or less CBD than the label indicates.
CBD: The Health Benefits
Many people state that CBD oil can treat practically any illness. Several possible advantages of utilizing CBD have been generated from various reputable studies. However, human research on this topic is not yet completed.
Therefore, the benefits of utilizing CBD are given below:
- Pain Reduction
A National Institute of Health study reveals that CBD oil can help humans suffering from osteoarthritis avoid nerve damage and pain, just like it performed for the rats in the research.
- Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety Reduction
When you use CBD to relieve PTSD, anxiety symptoms, and depression, it can give you a relaxing, mood-enhancing impact. Numerous studies have shown that it can greatly lessen symptoms or, in some situations, function as an antidepressant.
- Medications For Seizures And Epilepsy
The effectiveness of CBD in reducing seizures produced by Dravet syndrome epilepsy is well supported by scientific research. Moreover, the “Food and Drug Administration” has authorized Epidiolex, a CBD-derived medication for older and younger patients.
CBD: Who Adopts It?
A 2019 Gallup study found that 14 percent of Americans use CBD products, including lotions, bath treatments, capsules, and oils. Even though there has only been little clinical research on the advantages of CBD, early human studies have shown encouraging results.
According to the survey, consumers use CBD to treat physical pain, get better sleep, reduce stress, and maintain healthy skin. Pharmaceutical medications may have unwanted health effects and do not always provide relief. So it is exciting to think of a natural substance with a wide range of potential applications for public health.
CBD: The Insurance Coverage
Now, at this point, I will give you the answer to your question, which is, ‘does insurance cover CBD?’ The answer to this question is no. Even when prescribed by a doctor, CBD oil is not often covered by health insurance companies.
Even though a significant amount of research demonstrates the therapeutic benefits of a powerful Cannabis oil, insurance companies do not want to pay for it. It raises the question of why CBD oil is not covered when other pharmaceuticals do, even if they are more expensive and have more serious side effects. The reasons are as follows:
- FDA Has Not authorized CBD
The FDA must approve every medication before it is supplied for doctors to prescribe it to their patients formally. The FDA must conduct in-depth lab testing before approving CBD as a medication because it is still classified as NDI or a New Dietary Ingredient.
Insurance providers do not cover anything and everything that has not yet received FDA approval. It takes a long time and costs money to complete the acceptance process.
- Cannabis Is Used To Produce CBD
The legal status of marijuana and hemp is still unclear. Government authorization of hemp is a relatively recent development. Marijuana and its products are now authorized under the Farm Bill, but they must have a THC content of less than 0.3%.
On the contrary, marijuana is yet classified as a “Schedule 1” drug at the state and federal levels. Since marijuana and marijuana have distinct legal statuses, many businesses vote not to insure such goods in their coverage as a precaution.
However, other businesses are unwilling to sell such things besides insurance providers. Numerous delivery firms decline to deliver it, including neighborhood businesses where marijuana is permitted.
The Other Options For Patients To Purchase Cheaper CBD Oil
The cost of Cannabis oil must currently be covered out of pocket if you wish to use it for health purposes. Users cannot receive financial support even when a doctor recommends CBD products.
Moreover, you should be cautious of scammers since CBD is unauthorized. Since a bottle of high-quality Cannabis oil may cost up to $100, numerous fraud brands take advantage of this circumstance to attract unsuspecting people with inexpensive Cannabis oil.
Additionally, a bad joke is equivalent to inexpensive CBD oil. Its manufacture is not inexpensive like hemp seed oil, since it requires too much time, expertise, and money.
However, the good thing is that you may save a significant amount of money by purchasing high-quality Cannabis oil from trustworthy providers. For instance, at Royal CBD, your initial order is eligible for a 15 percent offer.
Moreover, you can use their subscription service to reduce the cost of your goods. Additionally, if you are a passionate customer, they provide a unique reward program where you may collect special crowns with every purchase and then use them for a big discount.
CBD: The Disadvantages
Besides CBD oil’s benefits, you may also encounter some disadvantages. And the side effects are as follows:
- When Consumed Orally
If you take CBD oil in the right amounts, it may be safe to consume. Up to 200 milligrams per day has been consumed risk-free for approximately 13 weeks.
However, possible adverse effects of CBD include low blood pressure, lightheadedness, dry mouth, and sleepiness. High levels of Epidiolex, a prescribed version of CBD, have also been linked to liver damage symptoms.
CBD: Some Warnings And Precautions
You must take some precautions before using CBD oil. And to make you aware of using CBD oil, I will provide you with a few things:
- Breastfeeding And Pregnancy
If you are expecting or nursing, taking CBD supplements may not be safe. Other substances that can be hazardous to the pregnancy or baby can influence CBD goods. So, avoid using CBD oil to be on the safe side.
- Children
Children may be able to use a certain prescribed CBD medication or Epidiolex orally in amounts of 25 mg or kg per day. Additionally, children who are about one year old and have specific circumstances may use this product. Other CBD items may be secure for kids, although it is unclear.
- Liver Damage
You must consume a small amount of CBD doses if you are suffering from liver disease.
- Parkinson’s Disorder
According to certain previous research, some Parkinson’s disease patients could have worsening symptoms and discomfort after taking high doses of CBD.
THC And CBD Products That Health Insurance Can cover
Your insurance plan does not often cover most CBD and THC items available in online sellers, clinics, and head shops. But several cannabis-based drugs have received FDA approval:
- Epidiolex
Only a few cases require the prescription of the medicine authorized to treat childhood epileptic seizures. It includes CBD in a synthetic version in the shape of pills.
- Nabilone
This drug’s molecular structure is comparable to that of THC. It is not present in nature; it is a synthetic substance manufactured by humans.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy are given nabilone to manage their vomiting and nausea. Its potential for treating the agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease is another area of research.
- Syndros and Marinol
These two synthetic THC medications have also received FDA approval. They are recommended for AIDS, nausea, anorexia, and vomiting.
- Sativex
The product is an oral medication with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD. Doctors prescribe it to people with multiple sclerosis to ease their stiffness and muscle discomfort.
Will CBD Oil Ever Be Covered By Medicare?
Investigation into CBD is currently in progress since it has many potential applications. Manufacturers might create CBD-based medicines for various illnesses if further CBD uses are validated by thorough scientific research.
If the FDA approves these upcoming medications, they might also start to be prescribed by doctors. That might make Medicare insurance possible. Since no such medical permits are ongoing, the investigation raises the probability that Medicare might ultimately pay for some additional medication types of CBD.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can follow this section if you still need clarification about ‘does insurance cover CBD.’
Does Health Insurance cover THC?
It is understandable to question if health insurance will pay for CBD and THC products made with marijuana since many people utilize marijuana in their regions. After all, similar to any other medication, your doctor might be able to provide you with a prescription for it.
Sadly, marijuana does not fall within this category. Due to cannabis’ continued status as a Schedule I narcotic, most insurance companies do not cover medicinal marijuana.
Can I Consume CBD Along With Prescribed Medications?
The drug may not perform as expected, or there may be a higher chance of negative effects due to the changing amount. These drug interactions are typically difficult to anticipate but can result in undesirable and occasionally dangerous issues.
What Medications Are You Not Supposed To Take With CBD?
Since CBD makes people sleepy on its own, it also enhances the effects of other drugs like alcohol, benzodiazepines (such as Ativan, Xanax, and Valium), antidepressants, antipsychotics, melatonin, kava, opioids, and St. John’s Wort, as well as benzodiazepine antihistamines.
Does CBD Provide Any Impact On The Heart?
Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, CBD might be able to decrease risk factors for developing heart diseases, such as HBP or high blood pressure. It might be able to lower the risk of associated diseases like stroke.
Can CBD Relieve Joint Pain?
Some people may relieve their severe joint pain by using CBD products, such as CBD oil. In place of painkillers like immunosuppressants or opioids, it might be a good choice. Therefore, before switching to CBD to replace any medicine, it is crucial to consult a healthcare practitioner.
Do 10 Panel Drug Tests Reveal CBD?
In short, yes, a drug test may show that a person has used CBD. You can take several steps to ensure that the item you are getting has the least quantity of THC available. But since there is no certification of CBD products, there is no assurance that the packaging is correct.
What CBD Dosage Is Necessary To Relax?
300 to 600 mg of CBD significantly decreased anxiety levels, according to a 2019 study looking at its effects on anxiety. But 57 adult males were the only participants in that investigation. Additionally, 25 to 75 mg per day is indicated for sleep disturbances or anxiety symptoms, whereas 33 to 50 mg per day is advised for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
How Much CBD Should I Consume Before Bed?
What functions for some individuals might not function for others. The individuals in most clinical studies involving CBD and sleep received daily doses of 25 to 1,500 milligrams of CBD. It is advisable, to begin with a small dosage and raise it gradually until you find a solution that benefits you.
Final Words
Therefore, you have got your answer to the question, ‘does insurance cover CBD’ that health insurance companies do not cover CBD oil. And the reasons are: they are not approved by the FDA.
But there are some alternatives that you may adopt to compensate for the higher price of CBD oil. But besides the benefits, you may also have some disadvantages of CBD.
Additionally, people of all kinds cannot use CBD. So, before using CBD, be aware of some warnings I have provided above in this article.
Mehedi Hasan is an insurance expert with over 6 years of experience in the industry. He has a deep understanding of various types of insurance policies and is skilled at helping clients find the coverage that best fits their needs. In his current role, Mehedi works as a consultant, advising businesses and individuals on the best insurance options for their specific situations.
He is also a frequent speaker at industry events, sharing his knowledge and expertise with colleagues and professionals in the field. Mehedi holds a degree in insurance and risk management and is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends and developments. In his free time, he enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.