Typically, for insurance to pay for treatment, the hair loss must be caused by a medical condition, such as an underlying illness or injury with pre-approvals required from the insurance companies prior to any treatment.
This is very important to achieve insurance coverage! Request a detailed written letter from your doctor explaining the extent of the (expected) hair loss, and the mental distress that you are or will be experiencing. Ask your doctor to use words as “cranial prosthesis” and “full coverage prosthesis.”
Finasteride and minoxidil are the main treatments for male pattern baldness. Minoxidil can also be used to treat female pattern baldness. Women should not use finasteride.
You would need to look at your plan documents, but the tldr is that hair removal generally is not covered by insurance unless required for a surgical procedure.
BCBS typically considers the underlying cause of hair loss when determining coverage eligibility. If the hair loss is the result of a medical condition, such as alopecia, thyroid disorders, or chemotherapy-related hair loss, BCBS may be more likely to provide coverage for the associated treatment.
Unfortunately, in most cases hair loss treatments are not covered by insurance. Since hair loss doesn't affect your daily activity like a medical injury or illness would, it is considered a cosmetic procedure and not covered.
Most insurance does not cover hair loss treatments, but a referral from a specialist can make a difference. Bosley offers a wide range of surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions, so input from a dermatologist can also help your Bosley team recommend the best option(s) for your specific needs.
Most insurance providers classify laser hair removal as a cosmetic procedure, which typically leads to a lack of coverage. However, exceptions exist, particularly when such treatments are deemed medically necessary—for instance, in severe cases of hirsutism caused by polycystic ovary syndrome.
Laser hair removal is popular for its longer-lasting results. However, costs can vary for a full-body treatment. Typically, you're looking at about $200 to $400 per session. Since you need about six to eight sessions for the best results, the total can reach $1,200 to $3,200.
Hair transplant surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure, which is not typically covered by insurance. There are some exceptions, such as when secondary alopecia is caused by burns or scarring. It is advisable to consult with your insurance provider to determine coverage options.
The average cost of a hair transplant is $6,000 to $12,000. Some are more than $15,000. Hair transplant surgery is safe and effective. It can be a permanent solution to male- and female-pattern baldness.
Despite its popularity in the media and amongst consumers, biotin has no proven efficacy in hair and nail growth of healthy individuals. Only 1 study has shown decreased levels of biotin in healthy individuals, though this data was confounded by multiple factors, including patient history.
Finasteride (Propecia).
This is a prescription drug for men. You take it daily as a pill. Many men taking finasteride experience a slowing of hair loss, and some may show new hair growth. It may take a few months to tell whether it's working for you.
Minoxidil typically isn't covered by insurance, at least when you get the topical form as a treatment for hair loss. However, coverage for specific medications can vary between health insurance plans, so it's best to check with your insurance company to see if they cover minoxidil topical solutions.
Plucking. Safe and cheap as a pair of tweezers, this method is fine to shape brows or pluck a random hair here and there. Plus, it lasts a while -- the hairs can take up to a couple of months to grow back. But reserve tweezing for the smallest jobs.
Unwanted hair removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, not a medical procedure, and is therefore not covered by insurance.
A laser hair removal session will normally take 60 minutes or less, depending on the size of the area being treated. Typically, on the body, 8 to 10 (up to 12 on darker skin tones) successive treatments are required for optimal results.
A prior authorization (PA) is a letter that your medical provider sends to your insurance company to explain why a procedure is medically necessary. For many people, getting a PA approved is the key to having electrolysis covered by insurance.
No insurance coverage: While some insurance policies do not cover fertility treatment, most health insurance policies will at least cover diagnosis and treatment of underlying conditions that may cause infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fibroids, and certain conditions for men, such ...
Patients suffering from hair loss due to disease or trauma and who cannot afford hair restoration surgery are encouraged to apply to the ISHRS's Operation Restore program. Anyone can apply for a free hair transplant. The application form can be downloaded here.
Payment Plans
While your actual monthly payments will vary based on the lender, the amount financed, your credit score, and your individual payment terms, most patients end up paying between $70–$300 per month.