If you are considering medical marijuana, understanding the costs involved is an essential part of the process. Cannabis being illegal under federal law means the processes guiding medical marijuana use are distinct and unique. Costs included. These costs vary depending on state laws, renewal requirements, clinics, and even doctors.
A medical marijuana doctor’s cost is the cost of an appointment and evaluation from a licensed medical marijuana doctor. These evaluations exist in a strange zone between medicine, regulatory compliance, and legal risk. This means doctors cannot bill insurance for medical marijuana evaluations, certifications, and follow-ups. Therefore, costs are usually out-of-pocket and must cover the doctor’s time, malpractice insurance, compliance training, state-specific requirements, administrative tasks, or telemedicine platform fees.
To get the best out of your medical marijuana treatment, you should be able to understand how to navigate these intricacies of cost.
How Much Does It Cost To See A Medical Marijuana Doctor?
The cost of seeing a medical marijuana doctor is not uniform and depends largely on the state, the clinic/platform, and the doctor. Online platforms such as marijuana doctors offer an average cost of $100 – $250 for medical marijuana evaluations.
In most cases, the patient has to cover the entire cost as the issue of insurance coverage and doctor visits for marijuana purposes is still very limited. Always verify with your provider to know the cost of seeing a medical marijuana doctor in your state.
What Factors Affect The Cost Of A Medical Marijuana Evaluation?
Several factors affect a medical marijuana evaluation cost and understanding these factors can help you plan better. Some of these factors are:
Location: Every state has its own medical marijuana program with specific rules and costs. This is a major factor, as some states may have high state application fees (up to $200), while others have lower fees or may offer discounts.
The Doctor’s Consultation Fees: The cost of an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor is another factor that may vary depending on the doctor’s experience and knowledge of cannabis or the cannabis platform/clinic’s rules or policies.
Telemedicine/In-person: Consultations through telemedicine may offer reduced cost, while in-person clinics have higher overhead costs and so are likely to be more expensive.
Additional Services: There may be inclusive costs of follow-up registration, dosage adjustments, or general assistance that the base price might not cover. In addition, initial evaluations are usually more costly than annual renewal consultations.
Medical Records Retrieval: To confirm a qualifying condition, the physician needs to review a patient’s medical records. The primary care provider’s office might charge a small administrative fee to send these records.
Insurance Coverage: The issue of insurance and medical marijuana dissuades many people from using it, as the implied cost may be more than they can handle.
Does Health Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana Doctor Visits?
There is currently no medical marijuana insurance coverage. Health insurance does not cover either medical marijuana doctor visits or the cost of the cannabis itself. This is because of two reasons:
- Cannabis is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug under U.S. federal law and therefore illegal. Insurers are subject to federal law and therefore cannot legally cover medical marijuana.
- Health Insurance generally only covers treatments and medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The only ‘cannabis’ insurance that may cover is the FDA-approved derivatives such as Epidiolex, nabilone, and dronabinol.
There is an exception:
Medicare/Medicaid may cover regular visits to a doctor for an evaluation that is not solely for attaining a medical marijuana recommendation (New York).
However, some options exist to help manage the costs:
- HSA/FSA Funds: Some Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) may cover the cost of doctor visits, lab tests, FDA-approved prescriptions, and so on, as long as it is legal under federal law and depending on your plan administrator’s policy. Check with your HSA/FSA provider first.
- Discount Programs: Many dispensaries and clinics offer discounts for veterans, seniors, and low-income patients.
- Risk-Free Assessments: Some clinics offer refunds for the consultation fee if a patient does not qualify for a medical card.
READ: Medical Marijuana and Health Insurance
How Much Does It Cost To Renew A Medical Marijuana Card Or Prescription?
The cost to renew a medical marijuana card or prescription varies significantly by state and provider. The total cost for a medical marijuana card renewal usually includes two separate parts: the state’s renewal fee (to re-authorize your status) and a fee for the required doctor’s visit/recertification (to confirm you still meet the criteria). Many states offer a lower renewal cost compared to the initial cost. Our rates are stated below:
State Renewal Costs and Certification Costs(C.C)
- Alaska – $50[1 year card expiration] + $199 C.C
- Arkansas – $50[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Arizona – $150[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Colorado – $25[1 year] + $199 C.C
- California – Varies by county and ranges from $20 to $100[1 year] + $99 C.C
- Connecticut – $100[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Delaware – $50[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Florida – $75[1 year] + $179 C.C
- Georgia – $25[2 years] + $199 C.C
- Hawaii – $38.50[1-2 years] + $199 C.C
- Illinois – $50[1-3 years] + $175 C.C
- Iowa – $100[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Kentucky – $25[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Louisiana – $0[1 year] + $99 C.C
- Maryland – $25[1 year] + $159 C.C
- Maine – $0[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Massachusetts – $0[1 year] + $159 C.C
- Michigan – $40[2 years] + $99 C.C
- Minnesota – $0[1 year] + $49.75 C.C
- Missouri – $26.50[1 year] + $149 C.C
- Montana – $20[1 year] + $49.75 C.C
- Nevada – $50[1-2 years] + $199 C.C
- New Hampshire – $50[1 year] + $199 C.C
- New Jersey – $10[1 year] + $199 C.C
- New York – $0[1 year] + $149 C.C
- New Mexico – $0[1 year] + $199 C.C
- North Dakota – $25[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Ohio – $0.01[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Oklahoma – $100[2 years] + $129 C.C
- Oregon – $200[1 to 2 years] + $199 C.C
- Pennsylvania – $50[1 year] + $199 C.C
- South Dakota – $75[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Utah – $15[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Vermont – $50[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Virginia – $50[1year] + $149 C.C
- Washington – $0[1 year] + $199 C.C
- Washington D.C. – $100[2 years] + $199 C.C
- West Virginia – $50[1 year] + $149 C.C
Many other factors may also influence renewal cost variations. Factors such as county rules (California), type of card (digital/physical), medical marijuana renewal appointment (telemedicine/in-person doctor visits), frequency of renewal, and or special discounts.
Are Online Medical Marijuana Consultations Cheaper Than In-Person Visits?
Online medical marijuana consultations are typically less costly and generally preferable to in-person visits, but not always. Studies suggest that patients can save costs with telemedicine appointments. Let us evaluate the general costs of telemedicine consultations to in-person consultations:
Telemedicine
- Telemedicine offers lower overhead costs for the healthcare provider
- Telemedicine offers reduced time and travel expenses for the patient compared to in-person visits
- Telemedicine renewal fees are usually cheaper than in-person fees
In-person consultations
- Potential (albeit limited) insurance coverage for clinical tests
- Doctors may charge less in states with strong competition
- In-person evaluations offer comprehensive physical exams/assessments
Telemedicine is usually cheaper overall when you include travel and time saving, while in-person can be cheaper if the clinic accepts insurance for the clinical part of the visit, or the competition keeps prices low. Note that the cost varies state by state and provider by provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price for a first-time medical marijuana evaluation?
Consultations with Veriheal cost between $99-$199, with each state having a varying fee. Visit Veriheal to find out the cost in your state.
Are follow-up appointments with medical marijuana doctors free or discounted?
No, follow-up appointments with medical marijuana doctors are not usually free. You will be required to include it in your payment plan.
Does insurance cover the cost of a medical marijuana doctor visit?
No, insurance does not typically cover medical marijuana doctor visits, although there are a few exceptions.
Why are medical marijuana consultations not usually covered by insurance?
Insurance does not usually cover medical marijuana consultations mainly because marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under U.S. federal law, and insurers are subject to federal law.
How much do online medical marijuana evaluations cost compared to clinics?
Online medical marijuana evaluations are typically less expensive than clinic/in-person consultations. While in-person evaluations often cost between $150 and $300, online evaluations typically range from $99 to $199. Cost varies by state, so check with your state’s medical marijuana program.
Do renewal fees vary by state or by doctor?
Yes, renewal fees can vary by state and by doctor. State fees are usually independent of doctors’ fees.
Can I use my health savings account or FSA for medical marijuana costs?
No, HSA or FSA does not cover medical marijuana costs because it is illegal under federal law. It might cover regular clinical costs such as doctor visits and medical marijuana prescriptions, but not cannabis itself. Verify with your provider before making any payment.
Is there a difference in cost between telemedicine and in-person marijuana evaluations?
Yes, there can be a cost difference, with telemedicine evaluations often being cheaper. The overall cost will vary based on the provider, your location, and the type of service you need. Evaluations through marijuana doctors range from $100 – $250.
Do medical marijuana doctors offer payment plans or discounts?
Yes, many medical marijuana clinics and doctors offer various payment options and discounts to help make the process more affordable. These offerings are especially common because insurance does not typically cover medical cannabis.
How can I find affordable and licensed medical marijuana doctors near me?
To find affordable and licensed medical marijuana doctors near you, check with your state’s official medical marijuana program website, use reputable online directories/platforms like medical marijuana doctors that connect you with certified physicians, and research thoroughly.
Written by Chiagozie Ekemezie