Unlike THC and its recreational use, CBD is primarily consumed for its purported therapeutic benefits on the body. As a result, most occasional or regular CBD users do so primarily to alleviate a symptom or improve a specific condition. This raises the question of whether Social Security will reimburse the cost of CBD products.
To help you distinguish fact from fiction, here is a summary of the relationship between CBD and Social Security, private health insurance, and the concept of medical cannabis.
Can CBD be prescribed by a doctor?
Even though CBD is widely praised for its purported relaxing and calming effects, no, a doctor cannot prescribe CBD. Only traditional medications that are recognized as such can be prescribed, and CBD does not fall into that category.
No, CBD products are not covered by Social Security.
To follow up on the previous section, since CBD is not considered a medication, it is not covered by the French Social Security system.
It is true that cannabidiol has been legalized throughout France, and that its effects are known to be particularly beneficial for all types of consumers. However, the legalization of CBD does not mean that it has been legally recognized as a therapeutic substance. Consequently, CBD-based products are not eligible for reimbursement through the public health insurance system. Reimbursement remains limited to officially recognized therapeutic drugs and treatments.
Yet the supposed health benefits of CBD are appealing. Very appealing. When it comes to its pain-relieving properties, taking CBD is said to significantly reduce chronic pain and may even alleviate the symptoms of various serious conditions. One notable example is cervical osteoarthritis, whose painful joint symptoms can be alleviated by CBD. Another example is the surprising case of epilepsy. Regular CBD use may slow the deterioration of cells and provide significant relief from localized inflammation in the brain, which is believed to drive the progression and worsening of the disease. All of these reasons could eventually lead the Social Security system to reconsider the therapeutic status of cannabidiol.
What about reimbursement from the health insurance plan?
Reimbursement for CBD products by Social Security is completely out of the question. But what about private health insurance plans? Specifically, when it comes to smoking cessation?
Because, yes, CBD is recognized as an effective solution for combating tobacco addiction. When it comes to smoking cessation, it’s important to know that health insurance covers only a tiny fraction of the costs. As a result, only nicotine replacement therapies approved for prescription are reimbursed—and even then, only partially. When it comes to e-liquids, they fall outside the scope of possible reimbursement. It doesn’t matter whether the e-liquid is CBD-based or not.
The key here is to sign up for a private supplemental health insurance plan, in the hope that it will cover CBD-based products used for smoking cessation. In practice, this could take the form of an annual lump-sum payment. However, you must make sure that the insurance provider actually covers CBD-based e-liquids—and not just those containing nicotine.
Toward Reimbursement for Medical Cannabis?
" Medical cannabis " is a widely used term in certain countries, such as the United States, but the reality is quite different in France. The ANSM is the leading authority on this matter. It believes that, due to the harmful effects associated with the combustion of CBD—or medical cannabis—it cannot be authorized for consumption through smoking.
Other methods of consumption are still permitted, such as CBD oils, e-liquids, and extracts.
Still, 2019 marked a certain shift in attitudes across Europe. That year, many Members of the European Parliament publicly expressed their intention to draw a clear distinction between recreational cannabis, cannabis for medical and therapeutic use, and CBD-based products.
Shortly thereafter, on February 13, 2019, to be precise, the European Parliament made headlines by passing a resolution with a unique scope: to support research on therapeutic cannabis and to establish uniform standards for what is known as medical cannabis and CBD.
For now, some health insurance providers are willing to reimburse the cost of everyday products such as e-liquids, considering them part of a therapeutic treatment. However, it’s important to note that this interpretation varies by provider and in no way reflects the general stance of the French Social Security system.
Consumers remain, however, very optimistic about the official recognition of this therapeutic status, as well as the Social Security system’s acceptance of CBD reimbursement. Medications containing CBD have already been granted marketing authorizations and are regularly prescribed. However, these are still just a few exceptions, and the widespread adoption of medical cannabis still has a long way to go.
