Bill
H 1300
Allows plans to reimburse providers for certifying seniors 65+ for medical cannabis and lets plans include cannabis in formularies for Medicare-age patients, per state scheduling.
Overview
- Bill Number: H 1300
- Title: An Act relative to cannabis for Medicare eligible patients
- Purpose: Allow reimbursement to health care providers for certifying seniors (age 65+) for cannabis use and authorize health plans to include cannabis for medical use in their formularies for these patients.
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Current status: Hearing scheduled October 14, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM in hearing room A-1
- House docket: No. 1300 (HD 3357 version referenced as the replacing bill)
- Committee action: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services (February 27, 2025); Senate concurrence noted (same date in actions)
What the bill would do (key provisions)
- Section 1 — Reimbursement for provider certifications for seniors
- Health care providers who certify a patient over the age of 65 under Section 1 of Chapter 94I of the Massachusetts General Laws may be eligible for reimbursement for that certification.
- Reimbursement would come from qualifying health plans regulated under the following chapters: 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G.
- Practical effect: Removes or reduces financial barriers for providers to certify eligible patients for medical cannabis and aligns compensation with private health plan reimbursement standards.
Who would be affected
- Patients: Medicare-eligible seniors (over 65) who use or may use cannabis for medical purposes would potentially gain access through covered certifications and possible insurer coverage, reducing out-of-pocket costs.
- Health care providers: Providers certifying patients for medical cannabis could be reimbursed for the certification process, improving financial viability of certifying patients.
- Private health plans/insurers: Plans regulated under Chapters 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G would be able to reimburse certifications and decide whether to include medical cannabis in their formulary for seniors.
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Continues to administer drug scheduling (Schedules II–VI) that governs coverage eligibility under the bill.
Timeline and procedural notes
- Introduced and referred: February 27, 2025 (Referred to Financial Services)
- Related actions: Senate concurrence noted on the same date
- Hearing: Scheduled for October 14, 2025, 10:30 AM–1:00 PM in hearing room A-1
- Next steps: If advanced, the bill would undergo committee deliberations, potential amendments, and then floor votes in both chambers.
Additional context
- The bill references existing cannabis regulation and certification processes under Chapter 94I. It does not mandate private plans to cover cannabis but permits reimbursement for certification and allows formulary inclusion where appropriate, aligning provider incentives with patient access for the Medicare-eligible population. Related bill notation indicates HD 3357 is the version replacing the current draft.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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