Manulife Financial Corp. in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart would now offer enhanced medical marijuana insurance coverage.

According to reports on CBCnews, The insurance company announced on Tuesday 31st July that clients who are eligible for medical marijuana coverage will be able to refer to Shoppers pharmacists at an Ontario-based patient care centre about different strains of medical marijuana and the different ways to take it.

Medical marijuana and/or cannabis is increasingly sought out as a form of treatment of traumatic injuries, with time it will become more imperative for the individuals who need it, and their health care givers to comprehend the procedure for obtaining and covering the cost of a prescription. While funding options may not be numerous, it is obvious that insurance providers are starting to extend coverage, even if restricted.

Customers of Manulife Financial Corp. will be given the option of choosing a course of treatment that is covered under the Manulife plan and would in addition receive ongoing case management.

Looking into possible reasons for this step taken by the company, the senior vice president of group benefits at Manulife has said in a statement that "Medical marijuana can be complex. Most medically-authorized patients need help finding the right solution for their condition,"

Both group and individual health insurance would be covered on the program starting this fall. The company already had medical cannabis coverage as one of its packages to clients and promises to reveal more details of this new program with shoppers once the program takes effect. Manulife's program would make a considerable impact on the already evolving field of medical cannabis insurance coverage in the country.

Other insurance companies are also seeking to tow this lane. Sun Life Financial Inc. had earlier announced in February that it was adding medical marijuana coverage as one of its packages. Great-West Life Assurance Co. also has plans to expand its medical marijuana coverage options in its group plans this year, reports CBCnews. It further reports that prior to this, health insurance coverage had been limited. For instance, Sun Life limits coverage to conditions and symptoms associated with cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, HIV-AIDS, and palliative care.

The use of marijuana and cannabis for medical purposes has grown increasingly popular lately especially as Canada, prepares to legalize the controlled sale of marijuana. Just this year, prime Minister Justin Trudeau had announced, “It is our hope as of 17 October there will be a smooth operation of retail cannabis outlets operated by the provinces with an online mail delivery system operated by the provinces that will ensure that this happens in an orderly fashion,” Mr Trudeau said.

Legitimization of the intake of marijuana if it finally comes would gradually diminish the stigma associated with smoking it. Its therefore little wonder that insurance companies are already formulating strategies on the issue. This is also good news for individuals who are seeking out the treatment as a result of an injury sustained in a traumatic event, such as a car accident or slip/trip and fall.

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