MMJ and medicaid

[alex44]

Does anyone know how medicaid doctors or that accept medicaid are going to deal with prescribing narcotics in states where it is legal will handle this. I do know that the 9th. Circuit court in CA and surrounding western states, yes I live in one (federal) said in states where it is legal, it should be considered as a legal drug as long as you are in compliance with state laws. another ruling said that doctors would not be penalized for a positive test for thc - I know the VA has this policy but i doubt too many people are aware of it and it is up to the doc's opinion - good luck with THAT - I have a very intense dislike for VA care - they are understaffed, undertrained, and very opoid-phobic. I speak from experience. I am now on Medicaid and get much better care - I keep my eligibility as a back-up. i do not smoke at present - 40 years ago - in the day - well, i won't go there. I simply feel that with all the research there is out there, the Gov't tries to surpress it, even my Shrink says it helps with pain and depression - it is a plant given to us by spirit. I guess what I am advocating is freedom to make your own choice - not having Gov't beuracrats make it for us - and the list of things they want to control keeps getting longer. my doc said she would have to cut me off if i tested positive for THC (MJ) - ever look at your pain contract - NOWHERE are ANY rights for us, like a detox if you are being taken off,etc. We have no rights at all - don't believe me - ask for a copy. I know no one wants to rock the boat - but any decent doc. will happily provide it - and get a copy of your medical records too
Tell them you keep your own files and you want a copy. They are required to provide them. I am NOT asking you to do anything you are not comfortable with or anything that could jeobordize your relationship with your Doc. PM is too hard to come by these days so if you are not comfortable with anything - just don't do it.
Blessings to all
alex44
skypilot

Blessings
Alex44
skypilot

[houghchrst]

Alex all of my doctors told me that if they could they would sign for me but I am finding that the docs that are in an office with other docs do not sign for it because of conflict of interest. Here my primary told me that they made the rule that no doc that is in a state run clinic can prescribe it because of so many patients being Medicaid patients which of course is a government run program. But if you are on Medicaid then the patient gets a 75% discount on the cost of the MMJ card. Go figure.

All of the docs that I am aware of that still sign for cards are in private practice and usually devote one day a week to evaluating MMJ patients. The Compassion Clubs help many patients get their paperwork taken care of and help pick a doctor.

I can't even begin to comment on the whole government thing cause it just pushes me to the edge of a rage. I can't believe how out of hand things are getting as the general public just sits on their heinies and complains.

[Mark N]

Alex, I don't have any info to really answer your question but I do think with the Federal law v. state law would make medicaid not pay for it. That is just my thought about that since the Federal gov't has tried to stop states from making MJ legal for medication. I think it is just a case of time will come but that doesn't help people that need it for CP or other reasons. As far as I can see a President would be on the right side if they pushed it to be taxed and controlled like cigarettes as it would create a lot of funds and take a lot of black market out at the same thing but we know logic won't be used in this case. Hopefully someone with more info can come and answer your question to add to what Christina has posted.

[alex44]

Thank you all - I think i did not put the question right. There are no shortage of doc;s willing to get your card. I do know that Medicaid will not pay for it - a discount for people on food stamps to get the card is the best they will do. - the question should have been - if you are a cp'er with a card and you have a medicaid doctor, they give you a U/A and you come up positive. My doc previously, when asked, if i ever came up positive, she would have to cut me off. This was before it became legal on the State level. As I mentioned before, The the 9th. circuit court (FEDERAL) has ruled it ok as long as you are in compliance with STATE law. So, that brings us to now - does it violate your contract or not? I have searched and searched and can find nothing further. would ask my doc, but i don't think she would know - and even though i am clean, i have no wish to be U/A'ed every time I go there and I am also offended by it, as well as consider it an invasion of privacy. although if the doc has very good reason, thats a differt story - too many Drug ABUSERS who use street drugs How about some feedback on the Lack of ANY rights in our contracts. No Taper if you are cut off for any reason is cruel and anyone who finds themself in that position should raise high H---. I would see an indy.doc for my card and continue with my primary. As I said before I do not smoke, but i do advocate the right of a person to make their own choice.
Thoughts?
Blessings
Alex44
Skypilot

PS My comments about our government are unprintable - all I will say is - Throw ALL the Bums(I am being kind in my wording)out, put them on medicaid, in a very small apt. or better yet, Public housing and food stamps and maybe a small welfare check for as long as there term in office would be.
A.

[Eva 14]

I don't know how Medicaid dcotors would view MMJ (even in states where it's legal) but I would guess that Medicaid docs would view MMJ the same way that non-Medicaid PM docs do: They won't allow a person the use cannabis in combination with opiates.

Even in liberal California, PM docs won't allow their patients to use THC (MJ). Perhaps there are some docs out there that would allow it, but I kind of doubt it, given all I've heard and read from fellow CP'ers in California.

I know when my doc gives me a drug test, one of the drugs that they are looking for is THC (along with cocaine, methamphetamine, etc.). They also test for opiates and benzos, but those are the drugs that I am prescribed, so they'd better be in my system.

MMJ didn't agree with me, so I never have asked my PM if it would be okay if I took it. Especially since I got a fairly strong feeling that it would NOT be okay for ANY of his patients to take MMJ.

I think that PM doctors are scared most of all of the FEDERAL government and Federal DEA, who can ruin a doctor in an instant. Therefore, PM docs want to follow FEDERAL law by the books, no matter what the State Law may say regarding MJ's legality.

So at the moment, whether one uses opiates or THC for chronic pain seems to be an "either/or" decision. That's unfortunate, as I've spoken with cannabis activists who admit that MJ doesn't help certain kinds of severe pain---only opiates do. However, if patients were allowed to take a combo of opiates and MJ, it might help some people better than opiates OR MJ ALONE.

Eva

[alex44]

eva14 - thank you for your reply. what you said makes perfect sense. My Doc . is the same way. so I am just going to let it be, continue to advocate as I see this as a personal rights issue and just leave it alone - i get decent relief and have no wish to rock the boat.
Thank you
Blessings
Alex44
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[houghchrst]

I am in MIchigan and all of my docs are aware that I have pain meds and they are aware that I smoke either instead of the pills or to get those places that the pills don't work for like my anxiety and my feet and ankles. Especially the horrible burning in my feet and lower back. When I told them I had started smoking the first question out of them was 'how is it working for you?" Not one told me I shouldn't or couldn't. I guess it is a matter of what doc is taking the time to educate themselves.

Yes it is the federal government they hide from. My PM doc and I talk all the time about what's new with the DEA and their ridiculous method of trying to lower the rate of medication abuse. They will never be able to stop illegal drugs. There is too much of a demand and a whole lot of low income people who sell their pills to pay bills and eat then suffer the rest of the month.

It is all a huge mess.