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.
Senate Committee Reviews Medicare Wig Coverage for Chemo, Cancer Patients
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would allow Medicare to pay for wigs for people who lose their hair because of medical conditions. Currently, Medicare often considers wigs to be for looks only and does not pay for them, even when the hair loss is caused by a serious illness.
- To get a wig covered, a patient would need a written note from their doctor, such as a cancer specialist or a skin doctor. This note must state that the wig is a necessary part of the patient's treatment or recovery process.
- The plan specifically helps people dealing with hair loss from chemotherapy, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. By labeling wigs as medical equipment, the bill treats them like other essential tools for health, such as walkers or hospital beds.
- If passed, this change would help lower the out-of-pocket costs for seniors and people with disabilities who often pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for high-quality wigs during their medical treatments.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Programs
This bill would add wigs (called "cranial prostheses") to the list of durable medical equipment covered by Medicare. People on Medicare who lose their hair due to cancer, chemotherapy, or autoimmune diseases could get coverage for wigs that currently cost hundreds to thousands of dollars out of pocket. A doctor's written certification of medical necessity would be required. This would reduce financial burden for the estimated millions of Medicare beneficiaries who experience medically-caused hair loss.
Disabilities
Broader Impacts
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
Reps reintroduce Wigs as Durable Medical Equipment Act
Reps. Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley, alongside Sen. Richard Blumenthal, have reintroduced legislation to require Medicare to cover wigs for individuals affected by alopecia or undergoing chemotherapy. Currently, Medicare does not cover these costs, unlike many private insurance plans.
Wigs for Alopecia, cancer hair loss would be covered by Medicare under McGovern-Pressley bill
The bill aims to classify wigs as durable medical equipment, allowing Medicare to cover the cost for patients with medical hair loss. Rep. McGovern noted that wigs can cost thousands of dollars, and the bill ensures equitable access to these essential tools for dignity and recovery.
Pressley, McGovern, and Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Cover Medical Wigs Under Medicare
Lawmakers have reintroduced the Wigs as Durable Medical Equipment Act to include wigs under Medicare coverage for patients experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy or autoimmune conditions. The bill addresses the high out-of-pocket costs that disproportionately affect low-income seniors.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
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.
Data Sources
Sponsor
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