Tourette syndrome and movement disorders on Pennsylvania's list
Tourette syndrome joined Pennsylvania's list of serious medical conditions effective July 20, 2019. It sits alongside several other entries that involve movement or muscle control, some added earlier and some part of the program from the start. Seeing them together helps you and a physician find the right fit.
The movement-related entries
| Official entry | Note |
|---|---|
| Tourette syndrome | Added effective July 20, 2019. |
| Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders | Added effective May 17, 2018. A category rather than a single diagnosis. |
| Parkinson's disease | Listed by name. |
| Huntington's disease | Listed by name. |
| Multiple sclerosis | Listed by name. |
| Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system (brain-spinal cord) with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, and other associated neuropathies | Requires objective neurological signs of intractable spasticity. |
| Neurodegenerative diseases | Added effective May 17, 2018. A category. |
A physician can select up to 10 conditions on one certification, so a patient whose diagnosis touches more than one entry can have each listed. The full conditions list shows all 24.
What the Tourette entry requires
The entry reads simply "Tourette syndrome." It has no qualifiers about severity or prior treatment. The certifying physician still has to conclude that you have the condition and decide whether to certify, so bring records from the clinician who diagnosed it, a list of current medications and notes on how tics affect daily life.
Who certifies
Only an MD or DO with an active Pennsylvania license who has registered with the Department of Health and completed its four-hour training can certify. Your neurologist may or may not be registered; if not, the neurologist's records can support an evaluation by a registered physician. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants cannot certify. Act 44 of 2021 allows certification through real-time audio or video, which our online evaluation guide explains.
Need a physician certification?
Online evaluations are available for Pennsylvania residents. Code DRWDY85872 takes 5% off. The physician, not the booking service, decides whether you are certified.
Book my PA evaluation →If the patient is under 18
Patients under 18 take part through a registered caregiver, usually a parent or legal guardian. The minor does not receive an ID card or enter dispensaries; the caregiver registers, passes a fingerprint-based background check and buys on the child's behalf. Ask whether a practice certifies minors before booking. Our caregiver guide has the full rules.
Forms allowed
Pennsylvania dispensaries may sell pills, oils, tinctures, liquids, topical forms, forms for vaporization or nebulization, and flower for vaporization. Smoking is illegal, and dispensaries sell no edibles, though patients and caregivers may mix medical marijuana into food. The physician can discuss which form suits the condition and the patient's age.
What research says
Research on cannabis for Tourette syndrome and other movement disorders is limited. Some small studies suggest cannabinoids may reduce tics or certain movement symptoms in some patients, while others show little effect, and side effects such as drowsiness or changes in mood can occur. The evidence is not strong enough to predict an individual result. A registered physician, ideally in contact with your neurologist, can weigh it.
Track tics or symptoms in a simple daily log for a couple of weeks before and after starting. It gives the physician and your neurologist something specific to review.
Safety
Tell every clinician involved about all medications, including any for tics, mood or attention. Keep products in their original packages and away from children. Pennsylvania has long applied zero-tolerance DUI rules to marijuana; check current law and do not drive after using.
Next steps
Gather the diagnosis records and medication list, create a registry account (or have the caregiver do so for a minor) and book a registered physician. Our application guide covers the 60-day payment window and the $50 annual fee, which is $0 for people enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, PACE/PACENET, SNAP or WIC.
Questions people ask
When was Tourette syndrome added to Pennsylvania's list?
Effective July 20, 2019, at the same time as anxiety disorders, according to the Department of Health's 2022 program report.
Are Parkinson's and Huntington's covered?
Yes. Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease each appear by name on the list of 24 serious medical conditions.
Can a teenager with Tourette syndrome be certified?
Yes, through a caregiver. Patients under 18 must take part through a registered caregiver, usually a parent or legal guardian, who holds the card and makes purchases.
Worth reading next
Sources
This page explains Pennsylvania law and Department of Health guidance in general terms; it is not medical or legal advice, and only a registered physician can certify a patient.