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.

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.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.