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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7546

Medicare: Coverage for Medical Wigs

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

about 1 month ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: A congressional bill proposes reclassifying medical wigs as 'cranial prostheses'

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would change Medicare rules to help pay for wigs for people who lose their hair due to medical reasons. It officially labels these wigs as 'cranial prostheses' and treats them like other medical tools.
  • To qualify for a covered wig, a person's doctor—such as a cancer specialist or a skin doctor—must provide a written statement. They must certify that the wig is a necessary part of the patient's medical treatment or recovery.
  • The plan specifically focuses on helping people dealing with hair loss from cancer, chemotherapy, or autoimmune diseases. These conditions can cause sudden, total hair loss that is often very expensive for patients to manage on their own.
  • By labeling wigs as 'durable medical equipment,' the bill moves them into the same category as wheelchairs or oxygen tanks. This change is designed to help patients afford high-quality wigs that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 12, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced in House

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 3872Related bill

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

Feb 12 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

Bill NumberHR 7546
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

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