New Mexico’s cannabis market is going after insurance companies to cover medical marijuana

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A medical cannabis company is teaming up with others to force insurance companies into action

Ultra Health is a licensed medical cannabis company in New Mexico known for its various legal actions in order to get what it wants. This time, another lawsuit was filed against seven major insurance companies to force them to reimburse around 74,000 patients in the state for their medical marijuana (MMJ) products.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the companies being sued include Presbyterian Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Western Sky Community Care and True Health New Mexico, among others. The lawsuit is based on a state law that was approved last year. Under the law, all insurers are required to reimburse patients 100% of the cost of any mental or behavioral health care.

Ultra Health is currently considered the largest MMJ operator in the Land of Enchantment and strongly contends through the lawsuit that under the new law, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a qualifying condition. This being the case, the firm demands that the cost of medical cannabis for PTSD patients be covered in full.

The lawsuit is not just coming from the company, but six other plaintiffs are also backing it, including Democratic State Senator Jacob Candelaria. As a resolution, millions of dollars in punitive damages are being sought. “The idea of health insurance plans paying for medical cannabis may seem like an impossible dream, but all the foundational elements have already fallen into place,” said Duke Rodriguez, president of Ultra Health.