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Are Hair Loss Treatments Covered by Health Insurance?

Hair loss is a distressing reality for many men as they age, as well as for many women. In fact, did you know that around 50% of all women start losing their hair by the time they’re 50 years old? For some men and women, hair loss begins even earlier, and can even lead to depression. Fortunately, there are various hair loss treatments available nowadays, with new ones being introduced as technology advances. But for women and men desperate to get their hair back, will their health insurance plans cover these treatments?

The Causes of Hair Loss

hair loss on a man's scalp — *Hair loss is becoming more common in adults, and could be due to a variety of reasons.*

More than 1 in 5 Americans will experience hair loss in their lifetime. 95% of this hair loss is genetic, caused by what’s known as androgenetic alopecia. One of the most common causes of androgenetic alopecia is a chemical called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which attacks the hair follicles.

But not all hair loss is genetic. “Some medical conditions can also cause hair loss,” William Yates, MD, a board-certified hair loss expert based in Chicago, Illinois says. “Severe or sudden weight loss, deficiencies of iron, protein, or vitamin D3, thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and a myriad of other health problems may lead to hair loss,” Yates says.

Hair Loss Treatments

As we mentioned earlier, there are various hair loss treatments available, such as:

Hair transplant surgery– A surgeon removes hair from a part of the head that has hair and transplants it to the bald spots.
Medication– Over-the-counter drugs like Minoxidil can help regrow hair or slow the rate of hair loss. In addition, Finasteride, a drug that treats enlarged prostate, can help regrow hair in thinning spots.
Laser therapy- The Food and Drug Administration has approved a low-level laser device as a treatment for hereditary hair loss in men and women.

Does Health Insurance Cover Hair Loss Treatment?

In most cases, health insurance plans will not cover hair loss treatment or any consultations for these treatments. This is because hair loss treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure, and insurers argue that hair loss does not affect your daily life as an injury or illness would. Unfortunately, insurers still have a long way to go in realizing that hair loss can affect daily life, since it can actually lead to mental health issues in some people. illustration of a doctor with a woman and her hair brush full of hair

There are some cases in which a condition that can cause hair loss, such as PCOS, will be covered by health insurance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that treatment for the resulting hair loss will be covered.

In the meantime, some lifestyle changes can help restore some of your hair, such as eating a vitamin-rich diet, taking over-the-counter biotin, or even trying holistic remedies, such as massaging rosemary oil into your scalp 2-3 times a week.

Looking For An Affordable Plan?

Even though most health insurance plans will not cover hair loss treatments, many plans can help treat conditions that might be the cause of hair loss. Before choosing a plan, make sure you understand what coverage it offers, and make sure it will cover evaluation and treatment for any conditions you need covered.

We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can see all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Does Medicare Cover Hair Loss Treatment?

It’s inevitable: as you age, your body will go through some major changes. Your metabolism will slow down significantly, which could lead to weight gain, your skin will get thinner, meaning you’ll get colder than you used to due to decreased circulation, and so on. Another very common physical change that most older adults deal with is hair loss; in fact, by age 60, about 60% of women suffer from some degree of hair loss, and many men are nearly bald. While this is a normal part of aging, it can be embarrassing, and you might want to seek treatment to help with your hair loss. Many of the most effective treatments can be very expensive, but is it possible to get Medicare to cover them?

What Causes Hair Loss?

four different kinds of medications next to each other on a table — *Different medications can contribute to hair loss.*

Did you know that every strand of hair on your head has a lifespan anywhere from 2-5 years? In addition, each hair follicle has a cycle of active growth, transition, and rest; if you are beginning to lose your hair, that means the follicles are remaining in the rest cycle, which can be caused by disease, medications, or your genes. The most common cause of hair loss is hereditary hair loss, known as male or female pattern hair loss, but the following medications and medical conditions can contribute to hair loss. Medications include:

Blood thinners
Vitamin A supplements
Some arthritis medications
Antidepressants
Gout medications
Heart medications
Blood pressure medications
Birth control pills

Medical conditions that can cause hair loss include:

Thyroid disease
Lupus
Cancer
Alopecia areata
Scalp infections like ringworm
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Untreated STIs, specifically syphilis

Hair Loss Treatments

If you experience hair loss or baldness because of the medications you are taking, speak to your doctor about possible alternative medications that will not have this side effect. For other types of hair loss, treatments include:

Laser therapy
Hair transplant surgery
Medications
Wigs or hairpieces

Your doctor might propose one or more of these treatment options.

What Medicare Covers

Unfortunately, Medicare does not generally cover treatment for hair loss; for example, if you choose to get hair transplant surgery, Medicare will not cover any of the costs. Medicare Part B will only cover medically necessary treatment for any underlying disease or condition that might be causing your hair loss, but will not cover any specific treatments for the hair loss itself. As in all cases, Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of treatments and medications for these conditions, and you will be responsible for the 20% coinsurance that Medicare does not cover.

Preventing Hair Loss

non smoking sign — *To help prevent hair loss, you should avoid smoking.*

There is no foolproof way to prevent hair loss, but there are some precautions you can take to help slow it down. You can:

Use a topical treatment like minoxidil
Massage your scalp
Avoid hairstyles that tug on your hair follicles
Avoid smoking
Make changes to your diet. A diet high in antioxidants can help reduce stress on your hair follicles, and help keep your hair from falling out.

If you are concerned that your hair is getting thinner or that you are balding, it is important to seek help from your doctor. Your hair loss might be hereditary, but it could also be due to medications you are taking, or caused by an underlying disease you are unaware of. Your doctor can run some tests and if they do find that you have a health condition, they can treat it – and this treatment will be covered by Medicare Part B.

While Medicare Part B covers most necessary treatments, it only covers 80% of expenses; If you are looking for more coverage, especially for the 20% coinsurance you are responsible for, a Medicare Supplement Plan might be your best option. One of these plans will not only cover the coinsurance you are responsible for, but will also cover other things that Medicare does not. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, and EZ can compare all available plans in your area for free. We will find a plan that meets your specific needs and saves you hundreds of dollars. To get free quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.