Some people undergoing chemotherapy treatment may embrace their newly bald head and leave it uncovered, but others are more comfortable wearing a wig.
Even when you expect hair loss, it can still be shocking to see it fall out. Planning for hair loss may help ease this transition. Having a wig available (even if only for special occasions) ahead of time can help.
Wigs can be expensive, but medical insurance may cover the cost of a wig when chemotherapy causes hair loss. The approval process may not be simple, though.
This article will explain how you can request coverage for a wig and your options if insurance doesn’t pay.
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How to Get Financial Help for Your Wig
Call Your Health Insurance Provider
Many privatehealth insurancepolicies will cover at least part of the cost of a wig. Before wig shopping, call the insurance company and ask about its requirements. The cost of wigs can vary tremendously, depending on the following factors:
A simple, synthetic wig may be covered completely, but the cost of a human hair wig may be more expensive and may come with a higher out-of-pocket cost.
Wigs 101: Understanding the Different Options Available
Use the Right Terminology
A prescription from the oncologist is often needed for insurance coverage, but the terminology used on the order is important. Most companies require a prescription that uses one of the following terms:
Though this terminology may sound strange, it’s just the way that insurance companies prefer to label a chemotherapy-required wig. The insurance company may also require that you purchase the wig first, send in the receipt, and file a claim.
When you file the claim, you will need to know how to how to classify your new hair. Sometimes a wig is called “durable medical goods.”
Maintain a Paper Trail
Make copies of all the paperwork related to your wig. Keeping a file with copies of all cancer-related costs can save a great deal of time (and money) in the long run. If the claim is delayed or goes missing, it’s easy to resubmit the claim if you’ve still got the information. The following items can be important to keep:
Get Professional Help
Some wig shops may be able to assist with the insurance claim. If they don’t actually do the filing themselves, they may have a staff person who can help you fill out the paperwork.
A hospital social worker may have some helpful tips.Cancer support groups in the communitymay be a helpful resource as well. There are many cancer communities online through which you can meet others who have been in similar situations.
Get Started Early
Whilechemotherapyregimens differ according to the type of cancer being treated, a 2019 study found that over 99% of breast cancer survivors who underwent chemotherapy experienced hair loss.The average time between the first chemotherapy infusion and hair loss is 18 days.
Hair typically begins growing back within three months of completing chemotherapy.Getting started early on the process of finding a wig can be helpful since it can be a long process and hair loss starts just a few weeks after chemotherapy is given.
Alternatives When Insurance Doesn’t Pay
If you are in a situation in which insurance doesn’t pay for a wig, or if your insurance only covers a small percentage of the wig you wish to purchase, you still have options.
Claim a Tax Deduction
Wigs for people who experience hair loss from chemotherapy may be a medical deduction. In this case, saving the receipt could save you money on taxes.Since medical expenses must exceed 7.5 of adjusted gross income before you can claim a deduction, it may not seem worthwhile to keep track of them.Many people are surprised, however, to see how these expenses add up.
Tax Deductions for Cancer Patients
Find Inexpensive or Free Wigs
If you know in advance that insurance will not help with a wig purchase, shop around for inexpensive wigs. Contact a local chapter of theAmerican Cancer Societyabout donated wigs that are available at no cost. A number of other organizations also offer free or discounted wigs, and a social worker or patient navigator at the cancer center may be able to direct you to the appropriate resources.
Summary
Hair loss from chemotherapy is a common experience. Losing hair can cause distress, and someone with hair loss may want to use a wig some or all of the time. Insurance companies may cover the cost of a wig. So, check with your insurer in advance before wig shopping, and find out the requirements for filing your claim.
If insurance doesn’t cover the cost, there are ways to get free wigs. Contacting a social worker or the American Cancer Society can be helpful in getting a free wig.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe cost of a wig can be anywhere from around $30 for a synthetic wig to thousands of dollars for a human hair wig.Original Medicare Part A and B do not pay for the cost of a wig.Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover wigs as part of their additional benefits, however you should check to make sure wigs are included in your plan. In some states, Medicaid may cover the cost of a wig for hair loss from chemotherapy but you would need to check with your state’s benefits as protheses are considered optional benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of a wig can be anywhere from around $30 for a synthetic wig to thousands of dollars for a human hair wig.
Original Medicare Part A and B do not pay for the cost of a wig.Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover wigs as part of their additional benefits, however you should check to make sure wigs are included in your plan. In some states, Medicaid may cover the cost of a wig for hair loss from chemotherapy but you would need to check with your state’s benefits as protheses are considered optional benefits.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Breastcancer.org.Wigs.American Cancer Society.Wigs for hair loss.Watanabe T, Yagata H, Saito M, et al.A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients.PLoS One.2019;14(1):e0208118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208118Internal Revenue Service.Topic no. 502, medical and dental expenses.Medicare.Does Medicare cover wigs for cancer patients?Medicaid.gov.Mandatory & optional Medicaid benefits.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Breastcancer.org.Wigs.American Cancer Society.Wigs for hair loss.Watanabe T, Yagata H, Saito M, et al.A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients.PLoS One.2019;14(1):e0208118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208118Internal Revenue Service.Topic no. 502, medical and dental expenses.Medicare.Does Medicare cover wigs for cancer patients?Medicaid.gov.Mandatory & optional Medicaid benefits.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Breastcancer.org.Wigs.American Cancer Society.Wigs for hair loss.Watanabe T, Yagata H, Saito M, et al.A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients.PLoS One.2019;14(1):e0208118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208118Internal Revenue Service.Topic no. 502, medical and dental expenses.Medicare.Does Medicare cover wigs for cancer patients?Medicaid.gov.Mandatory & optional Medicaid benefits.
Breastcancer.org.Wigs.
American Cancer Society.Wigs for hair loss.
Watanabe T, Yagata H, Saito M, et al.A multicenter survey of temporal changes in chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients.PLoS One.2019;14(1):e0208118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208118
Internal Revenue Service.Topic no. 502, medical and dental expenses.
Medicare.Does Medicare cover wigs for cancer patients?
Medicaid.gov.Mandatory & optional Medicaid benefits.
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