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Important Notice Regarding Medication Prescriptions for AHN Patients

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Allegheny Health Network Medical Marijuana Guidelines

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) patients in the greater Pittsburgh area with specified “Serious Medical Conditions” may qualify for participation in the Medical Marijuana Program. It was recently signed into law by the state of Pennsylvania through Pa Act 16.

At AHN, we want to ensure our patients receive the highest quality of care. We realize some patients may benefit from use of medical marijuana when conventional therapy does not provide relief. We will assist qualifying patients in obtaining medical marijuana based on guidelines and policies established at AHN.

How to participate in the medical marijuana program

To participate in the program, you must be under the ongoing care of a doctor who is approved to certify patients for medical marijuana use. AHN has specialized physicians who have received training and are registered with the state to certify patients under the regulations set by the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program.

You must have a qualifying “serious medical condition”

According to Pennsylvania law, you must have one of these “Serious Medical Conditions” to qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program:

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Autism
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) / AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Inflammatory bowel syndrome
  • Intractable seizures
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Neuropathies
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective
  • Sickle cell anemia

What to do if you think you qualify

If you have a “Serious Medical Condition” listed above and you think you may qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program, call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677.

A customer service representative will assist with making a connection with an AHN nurse navigator who will walk you through the process. The nurse will ask some questions and review your health information. If you qualify for the program, you and the nurse will work together to determine the next steps for obtaining a medical marijuana certification. The navigator will help schedule your initial appointment with a certifying physician. Prior to your first appointment, you will be asked to register at the Pennsylvania Department of Health website.

Please note that medical marijuana treatment is not covered by insurance, regardless of the company.

Read more about the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program.