Southern Cross confirms funding for medicinal cannabis consultations for most policyholders

Southern Cross chief medical officer Dr Stephen Child says it is dependent on their policy.

“Our members are covered for the cost of consultations with GPs, and this includes consults which result in the member being prescribed medicinal cannabis. This cover has been in place since 2021.”

According to Southern Cross, under the terms of its Affiliated Provider agreements, specialist consultations are carried out at one of the two Affiliated Provider medicinal cannabis clinics and need to be carried out by vocationally registered specialists.

“Southern Cross Health Insurance policies that have cover for prescriptions exclude drugs that are non-Pharmac funded. We are not able to cover medicinal cannabis as it is not currently funded by Pharmac, except under our palliative care benefit.