Has anyone else been denied health insurance because of medical cannabis? I was just told I was denied by United Health One after they determined I am a drug abuser because of my legal use of medical cannabis.
Anyone know of health insurance alternatives? I can't apply for AHCCCS, and I need health insurance, minimally, for my daughter.
BCBSAZ-- will deny a medical marijuana patient health insurance, but not specifically because of marijuana (although, that immediately raises flags), but depending on the condition that the medical marijuana is recommended. So, I was denied health insurance from BCBSAZ because medical marijuana is recommended for acute pain (spinal issues), whereas, a cancer patient may not be outright denied.
UnitedHealthOne-- denied me because, as they termed it, I am a "drug abuser", and I have a heart condition (even though, my doctors have reported and stated that it is nothing to be concerned of, or to be considered). The additional response I received from the customer representative was this excuse, "well, the underwriter's are quite conservative."
“Life is like arriving late for a movie, having to figure out what was going on without bothering everybody with a lot of questions, and then being unexpectedly called away before you find out how it ends.”
― Joseph Campbell, Creative Mythology: The Masks of God 4
If that's the case, I'm not sure I want to risk getting a card.
It's far easier for me to fly under the radar and grow my own, for my own use, than it would be to live without reliable health insurance or a mark on my health history that is viewed as a reason to deny coverage or raise premiums.
I don't need to trade with anyone else or ever buy it, plus, at $300/oz the prices seem absurd. The "donation" pretty clearly exceeds the cost of production. I can grow 16 oz pretty easily for $30 worth of nutrients and $300 worth of increased electric bills (over 3 months).
What does everyone else think about this? it's a pretty big deal to me.
Very good point, smokin, and yes, I do so fear loosing my SSDI benefits.
I am going to web-crawl and see how this issues is viewed by Socisl Security, etc.
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“Life is like arriving late for a movie, having to figure out what was going on without bothering everybody with a lot of questions, and then being unexpectedly called away before you find out how it ends.”
― Joseph Campbell, Creative Mythology: The Masks of God 4
While that may be a viable course of action for yourself, it is not for me. I am under too much scrutiny to take chances, hence, I must adhere to those steps that keep me from being in the limelight of illegal activities.
I had the same reaction as well...wondering if getting my card was worth it. After serious reflection, I believe I have taken the correct course of action for my circumstances. Yes, I have hindered myself by being denied services, but that only illustrates the frailty of a system that so many believe works just fine. Besides, I refuse to withhold information or lie to receive assistance or services.
If you don't need to trade or buy meds, then do what is best for you. If getting the card is too great a risk for you, then do what is best for you. This is a HUGE deal to me, as I'm sure it is for most people, and goes beyond the typically visible difficulties that patients contend within the Health Care industry.
Additionally, I am tired of people then asking me if there is any other medication I can take in place of cannabis, so as to receive health insurance. And no matter what I tell them, I haven't tried hard enough, because they don't believe cannabis is medicine.
I am not admonishing you for your trepidation. But, please don't assume that it is easy for others to take the non-legal route for treatment. Also, not everyone can cultivate. I'm sure if I was able to cultivate my own meds it would save me lots of money, but not everyone is afforded that ability.
