Is hair loss covered by my insurance plan?
“That’s a question I’ve had to answer a thousand times…” says Ronnie Talent, owner of Legacy Hair Center in Charlotte NC “It depends on a lot of different factors. But there are ways to increase your chances.”
Hair loss will affect more than 50% of men and 25% of women in their lifetime. The cost of surgical and non-therapeutic options could potentially run into the thousands of dollars.
There are several determining factors.
The type of hair loss. People can lose hair for a variety of reasons, including
· Cancer
Alopecia
Loss of male and female pattern
Burns and Accidents
Thyroid disorders
Lupus
· And other medical conditions.
Your insurance company. Some companies are determined to do everything they can to deny insurance claims, no matter how dire the situation. Others are more understanding and will be happy to help you quickly with a legitimate claim.
What hair loss remedy are you looking for? I’ve seen a handful of cases where insurance companies would consider surgical hair restoration and even laser hair therapy, but most have some consideration for non-surgical hair replacement. if the case is filed correctly.
How organized are you? Documentation is crucial if you really want to go ahead with your options.
When looking for hair replacement for medical hair loss, some insurance companies will actually cover 80-100% of the cost. NEVER FILE A CLAIM FOR A WIG!!! Always use the term “cranial prosthesis.”
Follow these steps to file your claim with the insurance company:
Consult the brochure that your Insurance Company gave you. Look under “Covered Expenses” under “prosthetics.”
Get a written prescription for a “cranial hair prosthesis” on a real prescription form, as well as a detailed letter from the doctor explaining your hair loss and the distress you’ve experienced due to your treatment. It is also best to include your own personal letter detailing the emotional effects hair loss has had on your life. Include that a Cranial Prosthesis is as necessary as an arm or leg prosthesis. Also, explain to him the importance of having hair for your work.
Take some pictures of you without your hair. This will show that your claim is NOT for cosmetic purposes.
Send your receipts, prescriptions, photos and letters from the doctor and you to your insurance company.
If your insurance company denies you coverage, you MAY appeal by sending a letter to the supervisor of the claims department.
Keep in mind that sometimes you will have to pay out of pocket initially, but the insurance company may reimburse you. If they deny you, keep trying! Persistence can pay off big and get you the help you need.