CBD is becoming more and more popular across the United States as a natural remedy for the symptoms of many common conditions from headaches and anxiety to epilepsy and cancer. CBD, or Cannabidiol, is the name of a chemical compound that is in the cannabis (Cannabis sativa) plant, which is more commonly known as marijuana.
Unlike THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical compound in the same cannabis plant, CBD does not get you high when you take it. THC is psychoactive but CBD is not.
Manufacturers produce CBD oil that is either edible or safe for use on the skin or other parts of the body by diluting Cannabidiol with another oil like hemp seed or coconut oil.
Scientific evidence has shown that CBD oil may be effective when used to relieve pain, reduce depression and anxiety, relieve symptoms related to cancer, provide benefits for neurological disorders, boost heart health, and help prevent diabetes, among others.
Today in the United States, CBD that comes from hemp plants is legal in all 50 states. CBD that comes from marijuana plants is not legal in every state. Hemp contains more of the CBD compound than the THC compound, and the reverse is true for marijuana plants. This makes hemp more efficient in providing CBD oil for the U.S. markets.
Even though all 50 states allow the sale of products containing CBD, some states are more accepting than others. Depending on the state where you live, your health care provider may be more willing to suggest using CBD oil for diverse reasons. If your physician thinks that CBD oil is something you should try, you may wonder if your Medicare benefits cover the cost. Here is some information on the topic of Medicare and CBD oil.
The Benefits of Using CBD Oil
While CBD oil is not right for everyone, many people are finding it effective as a treatment for some common ailments. Some of the reasons people use CBD oil are:
• For relief of muscle pain due to inflammation
• To ease muscle soreness and help muscles relax
• To fall asleep easier and sleep better
• To relieve anxiety
• To treat PTSD
• To help with depression
• To reduce acne
• To assist with substance abuse treatment
• To help prevent diabetes
• To help prevent the development of social recognition deficit in patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s
• General pain management
Today, many people are using CBD oil to successfully treat symptoms caused by certain health conditions. Medical professionals are not all on the same page when it comes to recommending CBD oil to their patients. If your health care provider thinks that it may work for you, it might be worth your time and money to check CBD oil out.
Does Medicare Cover CBD Oil?
Unfortunately, Medicare does not offer coverage for CBD oil at the present time. This is due to the fact that it has not been legalized at the federal level yet. It is possible that when the FDA legalizes CBD oil and other products that contain CBD, Medicare may help pay for these products when they are medically necessary.
However, the drug Epidiolex, which contains CBD, is an FDA-approved treatment for seizures that are associated with the syndromes Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet for patients that are older than two years. Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut are two forms of epilepsy that are extremely rare.
If you have a Part D prescription drug plan together with your Medicare benefits, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage, you may have coverage for Epidiolex. Your coverage depends on whether your insurance policy’s formulary (list of covered drugs) includes Epidiolex. If it is included on the formulary, your final cost depends on your policy’s copayment, coinsurance charges, and your deductible.
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