Medical Marijuana Cards and HIPPA: We Should Know

In the last few years, medical marijuana has become a booming industry. Businesses are opening their dispensaries left and right. Moreover, people who suffer from chronic pain or other illnesses are applying for their own medical marijuana cards. They need to purchase cannabis products. Needed to have an actual idea about marijuana cards and HIPPA .

For those who may be hesitant to jump on board with the trend due to concerns about HIPPA. Besides, whether it applies, you can be sure that there is no risk of exposing your information and sharing it with other. So, decide to get a medical cannabis card.

This is because any business that issues these cards as part of its services must abide by strict laws regarding patient privacy. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act makes sure that no personal information a person can share without your permission.

However, there are still some things you should know in order to keep your personal details safe while getting your card so read on for more information!

What is HIPAA?

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which got clearance in 1996. The goal of the law was to protect individuals’ health information. Their target is to mandate that all healthcare providers maintain patient privacy. This includes all health insurance companies, all healthcare providers, and even some pharmacies.

It is one of the strictest health privacy laws in the world, and it applies to all types of health insurance plans. Whether you are on Medicare, or Medicaid, or have private health insurance coverage, HIPAA ensures the safety of your information.

How do Medical Marijuana and HIPPA Come Together?

When applying for medical marijuana Cards and HIPPA, you will have to provide your name and contact information to a doctor verifying that you are a legitimate patient. If you’re applying online, you will also have to provide an email address.

In order to protect patient privacy, cannabis dispensaries only keep this information on file. They don’t share your information with any third-party organizations – not even your doctor. The only people who can see this information are the employees of the marijuana dispensary. The only way your doctor can verify that you are a valid patient is with your unique identification number. Even if your doctor is one of the rare doctors who does not accept medical marijuana patients can still have access to the verification system.

Are there ways to get a card without sharing personal information?

Yes! In fact, the most common way to get a medical marijuana card without providing personal information is to join a cannabis collective. A collective is a non-profit organization that grows and sells marijuana to patients. Collectives are usually cheaper than dispensaries providing an excellent alternative for those who are unable for a dispensary’s services.

Those who are nervous about joining a collective and simply don’t have access to one in their area, have other less common ways to get a medical marijuana card. Collectives and alternative methods to getting Cards and HIPPA will typically require you to provide your personal information. There are no risks for you since it remains private.

Can your doctor find out you have a medical marijuana card?

No. Your doctor cannot access any information pertaining to your medical marijuana card, even if they are the ones who verified your card. Medical marijuana card verification is a one-way process. Simply put, your doctor can see that you are a valid patient, but they do not have access to your card number.

The only way your doctor can find out that you have a medical marijuana card is if you tell them. There are also some rare instances where your doctor could find out if they send you for a drug test. This can happen if you are applying for certain types of jobs.

However, even in these situations, your doctor will only know that you have used marijuana in the past few weeks. They will not know if you are a medical marijuana patient.

Final Words

Overall, getting a medical marijuana card does not put your private information at risk. The only thing your doctor and the dispensary employees can see is that you are a valid medical marijuana patient. You do not have to worry about your information being shared with other organizations.

In fact, you will need dispensaries to keep your information locked up tight due to the strict health privacy laws. If you suffer from chronic pain or another debilitating condition, you might be wondering if a medical marijuana card is right for you. If so, you can rest assured that there is no risk of your information being shared if you decide to get a card.

Apply Now!