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want to get a card

Discussion in 'Medical Cannabis: Treatments & Patient Experiences' started by mynameiswho, Sep 25, 2009.

  1. #1 mynameiswho, Sep 25, 2009
    Hey guys, i live in california and suffer from migraines. Mine arnt too bad and dont come all that often but they require more than just Tylenol to help with the pain. I recently was prescribed midrin. Its a med for migraines.

    Since im in cali i wanna get a med card but i still havent sacked up and pulled the trigger on setting up an appointment. Im mostly worried about the repercussions of getting a mmj card. Ive done all the research i can and know that pretty much as long as youre smart only you and a doctor have access to the info that says you have a card.

    What im curious is, since im still in college i dont know how this works, how will mmj effect insurance? Im currently on my parents plan but once im out of college will the fact that i am or once was a mmj patient hurt me in anyway?

    Im only really worried about insurance complications due to previous use as well as job problems (is there anyway for the company to know about your marijuana use other than a drug test?)


    thanks guys, i really want to get a card and ive done the research i just thought id post a thread to help ease my worries. I think i might make my appointment for next week unless something here scares me away
     
  2. #2 WildWill, Sep 25, 2009
    Insurance has NOTHING to do with MMJ recommendations. Only a very few PPO plans will even pay for a doctor's visit, and that's just an office visit. Your meds aren't covered.



    BTW - we've answered all of your questions dozens of times before.
     
  3. #3 damnimhigh, Sep 25, 2009
    when i dream at night, its about having my insurance cover my meds.
     
  4. #4 demoxy clean, Sep 25, 2009
    yea i wanted to make this clear to...(i know there is no medical in alabama or georgia but im moveing back to ventura county, california in spring) and i havent heard anything about medical there...is it any good? and is there any good doctors i should see in the area? i have chron's so im not worryed about getting it. and what are some good strains to get that can help with chron's?
     
  5. #5 mynameiswho, Sep 25, 2009
    no i mean like at a future date can an insurance company discriminate against me for having one. Like if i wanted to join an insurance company can they be like oh well you had mmj so you have a higher rate. thats what i meant. I dont expect it to be covered.
     
  6. #6 tharedhead, Sep 25, 2009
    That may be a valid concern if, at any point you have to have a tox screen and test positive for pot in a medical setting. For example, if you get a DUI. Your insurance company will not have access to your MMJ information, but when you apply for coverage they can have access to all your other medical records.
    See how the insurance company did this poor kid with celiac
    Firm cancels health insurance coverage for girl, 17, after celiac disease diagnosis -- chicagotribune.com
    They can refuse coverage for any damn thing apparently (pardon my french, but my insurance company dumped me when I first had optic neuritis. Thank you blue cross:mad:)
    So the most important thing you can do is keep your MMJ information separate from your standard medical records. Don't tell your primary care physician, make sure you do not get a DUI so there is no reason to run a tox screen, do not fail a drug test at work.
    I hope this is helpful.
     
  7. #7 Garryzgarage, Sep 25, 2009
    Hello- you mite want to go to Oaksterdamnews.com, also norml.org look here is if this helps, Garry
     
  8. #8 mynameiswho, Sep 25, 2009

    this is exactly what i was looking for. thank you very much for this information. I did not plan on letting my primary care physician know so i guess its safe to say i can get one. Sweeeet
     
  9. #9 WildWill, Sep 25, 2009
    Actually, part of the California MMJ laws state very clearly that you MUST tell your primary care physician that you're under the care of another doctor for MMJ. It's called the Informed Consent Decree IIRC.

    Doesn't mean that you SHOULD do so, that's entirely up to you. Also, most insurance companies, if you get your health insurance through your employer, cannot drop you for coverage, and that's also one of the major points of Obama's Health Care reform - he contends (and I agree) that NO Health Insurer should be able to drop anyone from coverage for any reason.
     
  10. #10 mynameiswho, Sep 26, 2009
    thats my main concern is either being dropped or not being covered. Insurance companies can pull some sketchy shit that pisses me off. I'm mainly worried about not telling them, then they find out and drop me because they wouldnt have covered me had they known. Although im also getting it for migraines which imo an insurance company probably wouldnt drop you because you get headaches and didnt tell them.
     
  11. #11 tharedhead, Sep 26, 2009
    Oh dear, I did not know that (looks embarrased) (goes off to read law again):eek:
     
  12. #12 mynameiswho, Sep 27, 2009
    if the place asks me for my primary care doctors info should i give it to them or i can i give them something else? Will they tell my doctor if i do give them the info?
     
  13. #13 tharedhead, Sep 27, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 27, 2009


    If you hand carry your records they should have no reason to contact your PCP. "Here-I have migraines-proof":)
    Have you talked to the clinic you plan to go to for the referal to see what you need? Cali seems to be so open, and the process so simple, that you should have no problems, as long as you have documented migraines.
     
  14. #14 mynameiswho, Sep 27, 2009
    my documentation is going to be a written prescription for midrin a well known migraine med. I contacted them once before but the lady seemed really confused when i talked to her so i think im just going to make an appointment and before paying ask about the primary care doctor info because i do not want to give them that. They say on their website however they want you to bring all documents showing your condition and then all your primary healthcare providers info. My friend just told me to say i dont have insurance and therefore dont have a primary healthcare provider. I might try that
     
  15. #15 tharedhead, Sep 28, 2009
    I certainly can understand your fears (oh man can I ever) and I hope things work out for you. Just don't get caught driving while intoxicated. Best of luck!
     

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