Obtaining Medical Cannabis Through New York Workers' Compensation
Medical marijuana is currently being prescribed in New York State for a number of conditions stemming from work-related injuries and illnesses.
The New York Workers’ Compensation system is designed to help cover medical expenses and prescriptions for injured and sick workers, and in some cases, medical cannabis is one such prescription that can be covered through Workers’ Compensation insurance carriers. Workers’ Compensation benefits only cover medical marijuana on a reimbursement basis, and this coverage must first be approved by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board.
Receiving this approval from the Workers’ Compensation Board may be challenging. Your medical provider will have to request authorization and provide documentation sufficient enough to meet the Board’s criteria. The Board does not always grant medical providers’ requests, which is one of many reasons to make sure that you have an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney advocating for your interests and helping you strategize.
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Following Board approval, to give yourself the best chance of being reimbursed by the insurance carrier, make sure that your name is on the receipt, and that the receipt also reflects the date the prescription was filled and the amount that you paid. Receipt format may be different from dispensary to dispensary, so it is key to inspect your receipt closely to ensure that these important details are included.
You must then attach your receipt to a C-257 form (which outlines the nature, date, and amount of the medical expenses you are requesting reimbursement for) and submit it to your employer’s insurance carrier.
How a Workers' Comp Lawyer Can Help
MCV Law’s Workers’ Compensation lawyers are here to help. We have decades of experience securing Workers’ Compensation benefits for our clients, and have spent our careers easing the financial burdens experienced by those recovering from a work-related injury or illness. We know exactly what the Workers’ Comp Board and insurance carriers will look for when reviewing your case, and can help you strategize accordingly. We also work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no out-of-pocket fees.
If you have a work-related injury or illness and need assistance with your Workers’ Compensation claim, we welcome you to connect with our office for a free initial consultation.
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