Cancer Breast Cancer Living With How to Get Your Health Insurance to Pay for a Wig During Chemo Steps to Ensure Your Wig Is Covered and What to Do If It Isn't By Julie Scott, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP Julie Scott, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP LinkedIn Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner and freelance healthcare writer with over a decade of medical oncology and hematology experience. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 11, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Anita Sadaty, MD Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Anita Sadaty, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology. She is a clinical assistant professor at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Angela Underwood Fact checked by Angela Underwood LinkedIn Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. Learn about our editorial process Print Hair loss can be an unfortunate side effect of many chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Some people may embrace their newly bald head and leave it uncovered, but others are more comfortable wearing a wig. Rainer Holz / Fuse / Getty Images Even when hair loss is expected, it can still be shocking to see it fall out. Planning for hair loss may help ease this transition. While there are many options for head covers, they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Having a wig available (even if only for special occasions) ahead of time is helpful. Wigs can be expensive, but medical insurance may cover the cost of a wig when hair loss is caused by chemotherapy. The approval process may not be a simple one, though. This article will explain how you can request coverage for a wig and what your options are if insurance won't pay. How to Get Financial Help for Your Wig The following steps may be helpful in getting a wig covered by your insurance company. Call Your Health Insurance Provider Many private health insurance policies 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: How the wig is made (with real human hair or synthetic materials)The hairstyleThe quality of the wig 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: Hair prosthesisCranial prosthesisCranial hair prosthesisExtra-cranial prosthesis 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: The healthcare provider's wig prescriptionSales receipt for the wigCompleted insurance claim formAny correspondence sent to the insurance company 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 community may 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 While chemotherapy regimens 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. Can You Prevent Hair Loss From Chemotherapy? 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 the American Cancer Society about 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. A Word From Verywell Losing hair from chemotherapy is very stressful. It can be difficult to lose your hair, but it's important to remember the purpose—to get rid of the cancer in your body. A wig may make someone feel more comfortable being out in public or attending events. However, it's always OK to embrace the bald. Coping With Hair Loss During Chemotherapy Frequently Asked Questions How much does a wig cost for cancer patients? The cost of a wig can be anywhere from around $30 for a synthetic wig to thousands of dollars for a human hair wig. Do Medicare or Medicaid pay for wigs for cancer patients? Medicare does not pay for the cost of a wig. However, in some states, Medicaid may cover the cost of a wig for hair loss from chemotherapy. Originally written by Pam Stephan Pam Stephan Pam Stephan is a breast cancer survivor. Learn about our editorial process Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get honest information, the latest research, and support for you or a loved one with breast cancer right to your inbox. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Cancer Institute. Hair Loss (Alopecia) and Cancer Treatment. Breastcancer.org. Wigs. American Cancer Society. Choosing and Wearing a Wig. 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. Breastcancer.org. Wigs. American Cancer Society. Choosing and wearing a wig.