Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Incentive
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Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Incentive is a US government Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy that took effect on April 1, 2026. The policy allows Medicare and Medicaid covered individuals to receive $500 worth of hemp-derived CBD and THC products annually for medical purposes.[1] At inception, providers were required to be enrolled in ACO REACH program (Accountable Care Organization Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health) or Enhancing Oncology Model, with later expansion to LEAD (Long-term Enhanced ACO Design) planned.[2] Covered products may have up to 0.3% delta-9 THC.[3]
A federal lawsuit and request for temporary restraining order to prevent implementation on April 1, 2006 was filed by prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana. A judge refused to issue a restraining order, allowing the program to go into effect, and scheduled a hearing for April 20, 2026.[4]
On April 2, 2026, the commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wrote a letter to subordinates directing exemptions to drug labeling and other regulatory requirements to avoid interference with the CMS program.[5]
