Medical cannabis and CNESST: reimbursement steps

CNESST provides a reimbursement mechanism for cannabis for medical purposes in certain workplace-injury files. Coverage is not automatic: the treatment must be accepted within the file and meet CNESST's medical, administrative and billing requirements.

The first condition: an eligible file

The request must be part of a recognized CNESST claim and relate to treatment of the workplace injury. A licensed practitioner must assess the situation and, if medical cannabis is appropriate, issue the required medical document. The clinical decision and the coverage decision remain separate.

What the reimbursement form contains

CNESST form 3300 requests the claim number, prescriber information, authorized daily amount, medical registration, supplier information, products, concentrations and dried-cannabis equivalents.

Reimbursable quantity and formats

The official form states a limit equivalent to 3 grams of dried cannabis per day. It also says inhaled cannabis is generally not reimbursable unless CNESST advises otherwise. The rules applying to the individual file should be confirmed before ordering.

Direct billing

According to the form's notes, the supplier sends the invoice directly to CNESST and cannot claim that amount from the worker when billing is compliant with the program. CNESST also provides delivery costs up to the limit stated in its current form.

How Coverleaf supports the process

Coverleaf helps coordinate an assessment by a licensed practitioner, organize the file and direct the patient to a medical platform able to follow the applicable billing process. No prescription or coverage is guaranteed: they depend on the assessment and CNESST's acceptance of the file.