Sometimes, depending on your specific plan. Some extended health benefits will reimburse medical cannabis (fully or partially), while others won’t. Many plans that do cover it require pre-authorization and/or limit coverage to certain conditions.
Mendo can provide an invoice/receipt with the details your insurer typically needs but your insurance provider is the only one who can confirm eligibility, limits, and required documents.
Please note, the information in this article is intended for Civilian Patients. Canadian Veteran's have alternate methods of coverage through Blue Cross & Veteran's Affairs Canada.
Insurance Coverage Options For Civilians:
1. Coverage through a Health Spending Account (HSA/HCSA)
If your employer benefits include a Health Spending Account / Health Care Spending Account, medical cannabis may be claimable there as an eligible medical expense (rules vary by plan).
How HSA/HCSA reimbursement normally works:
You purchase as usual, then submit your invoice/receipt through your HSA/HCSA claim portal.
Coverage is generally based on your account balance and your plan’s eligible-expense rules.
2. Direct medical cannabis coverage under your drug/extended health plan
Some insurers offer medical cannabis coverage as a defined benefit, but often only with prior approval/pre-authorization and specific criteria.
Examples of defined benefit coverage:
Sun Life: medical cannabis reimbursement may require prior authorization and have specific eligibility requirements.
Canada Life: provides a medical cannabis pre-authorization form for workplace benefits.
GreenShield: has offered medical cannabis options for benefits plans with defined oversight/eligibility.
Medical Cannabis Insurance Plans in Canada
Below is a summary of the most common insurance companies in Canada and their medical cannabis coverage:
The Cooperators
The Cooperators offer reimbursement for medical cannabis for chronic pain, muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS), and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Coverage is available through Optional Coverage in existing plans, with reimbursement of up to 80% of eligible expenses.
The Cooperators also provide support when obtaining prescriptions as well as a 24-hour helpline, in addition to reimbursement.
Desjardin
Desjardin provides coverage for cancer symptom treatments, refractory neuralgia, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, and spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis or spinal cord lesions. Access cannabis coverage through a Healthcare Spending Account, with reimbursement of up to 80% of eligible expenses.
Desjardin can also help you find the best route for obtaining prescriptions. In addition, Desjardin has a 24-hour helpline to answer any questions you may have on medical cannabis coverage.
Greenshield
Greenshield covers medical cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain, spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, and nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy. The coverage for medical cannabis is available through Optional Coverage, with a maximum of $1,500 per prescription per calendar year.
Green Shield will only cover prescribed doses for licensed producers and concerns related to the medical use of cannabis. Green Shield may also cover certain supplies or services related to cannabis such as vaporizers.
Manulife/Manuvie
Manulife offers cannabis coverage and reimbursement through a Healthcare Spending Account for stiffness and involuntary muscle spasms in people with multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients, and chronic neuropathic pain. Manulife offers reimbursement of up to 80% of eligible expenses.
Manulife also provides personalized support with the prescription process, and any other questions you may have.
Sun life
Sun life provides coverage for medical cannabis as part of a treatment plan for cancer symptoms, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS, and palliative care. Reimbursement amounts depend on the chosen Healthcare Account plan. Optional Coverage plans may also include medical cannabis.
Sunlife covers medical cannabis under the Medavie Blue Cross program, which provides a maximum coverage limit of $6,000 per year per person. This coverage is subject to the usual restrictions, such as reduction in benefit payment when the patient has other coverage, along with limited medical advice available on medical cannabis.
How to check if you’re covered
Look at your benefits booklet/portal for terms like “medical cannabis,” “marijuana,” “cannabinoids,” “HSA/HCSA,” or “prior authorization.”
Call your insurer (or ask your HR/benefits administrator) and ask:
Is medical cannabis covered under my plan or only through HSA/HCSA?
Do you require pre-authorization?
Are there annual maximums, condition requirements, or product-format limits?
What documents do you need for reimbursement?
What you’ll typically need to submit a claim
Requirements vary, but insurers commonly ask for:
A paid invoice/receipt showing purchase details
Your policy/member info
Sometimes: a pre-authorization approval letter/form (if your plan requires it)
Getting an order invoice from Mendo
Need documentation for your insurer? While order receipts are available in your account dashboard, these usually don't include all the information your insurance company requires. To get an order invoice tailored to your insurance provider message our support team and include:
Your order number
The date of purchase
The name/email on your account
We’ll help you get the right invoice/receipt for your claim submission.
FAQ
Is medical cannabis always covered if I have insurance?
No, coverage varies by insurer and plan. Many plans exclude it or only allow it through an HSA/HCSA.
If my plan requires pre-authorization, can I still buy before approval?
Some insurers may deny reimbursement without prior approval, confirm with your insurer before purchasing if you’re unsure.
Can Mendo tell me if my plan will reimburse?
We can provide the documents you need, but only your insurer can confirm coverage and requirements.