Are Hair Loss Treatments Covered By Insurance?

Hair loss is a common concern affecting millions of people worldwide. It can significantly impact one's self-esteem and quality of life. As individuals seek solutions to combat hair loss, a pressing question often arises: Are hair loss treatments covered by insurance?

This comprehensive article will delve into the various causes of hair loss, explore different medical treatments available, and discuss their costs and potential insurance coverage.

Source: Pixabay

What Causes Hair Loss

Before exploring treatments and their coverage, it's essential to understand the root causes of hair loss.

Hair loss can occur due to various factors, including:

• Genetics: Genetics (Androgenetic Alopecia): Picture this: Your family tree is like a hair gene treasure map. If your ancestors had a penchant for thinning crowns or receding hairlines, you might inherit the same fate. Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is the most frequent culprit. It’s like your genes whispering, “Hey, let’s play hide-and-seek with those follicles!” Hormones also join the party, influencing hair loss patterns.
• Medical Conditions: Sometimes, our bodies throw a curveball. Thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases (like alopecia areata), and scalp infections can all lead to hair loss. Imagine your immune system as a confused bouncer—sometimes it kicks out the wrong guests (hair follicles) from the party.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormones love drama. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause—they’re all hormonal rollercoasters. And guess what? Hair hops on for the ride. Temporary or permanent hair loss can occur due to these hormonal shifts. It’s like your hair saying, “I’m outta here!” during certain life stages.
• Medications: Some drugs have a side hustle: hair loss. Medications used for cancer, arthritis, depression, and high blood pressure can be the culprits. It’s like they’re playing a game of musical chairs with your hair follicles.
• Stress (Telogen Effluvium): Stress isn’t just a mental thing; it affects your hair too. Telogen effluvium is the fancy term for stress-induced hair loss. Imagine your hair follicles collectively sighing, “We can’t deal with this drama right now!” and taking a break from growing.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Your hair craves nutrients like a hungry artist craves inspiration. Iron, protein, and vitamins (especially vitamin D) are essential. If your diet lacks these, your hair might stage a protest. It’s like your follicles saying, “Feed me, Seymour!”
• Hairstyling Shenanigans: Heat styling tools, tight ponytails, and chemical treatments—oh my! These can be hair’s worst enemies. Imagine your hair as a delicate fabric: too much heat, tugging, and chemicals, and it starts fraying like an old sweater.

Source: MyMSTeam

Understanding the underlying cause of hair loss is crucial in determining the most effective treatment approach and whether insurance might cover it.

Medical Hair Loss Treatment

There are various medical treatments available for hair loss, ranging from surgical procedures to medications and therapies. Let's explore each option in detail.

Hair Transplant

Source: Cozmoderm Clinic

Like good health and youth, most of us take our locks for granted until they're gone. For many people, a hair transplant can help bring back what looks like a full or at least a fuller head of hair. Hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair from areas of thicker growth to balding or thinning areas. It's considered one of the most effective long-term solutions for hair loss. Doctors have been doing these transplants in the U.S. since the 1950s, but techniques have changed a lot in recent years.

How much does a Hair transplant cost?

The cost of a hair transplant can vary significantly depending on factors such as the extent of hair loss, the number of grafts needed, the technique used, and the surgeon's expertise. On average, hair transplants in the United States can range from $4,000 to $15,000 or more. Some patients may require multiple sessions, which can increase the overall cost.

Are Hair transplants Covered by Insurance?

In most cases, hair transplants are considered cosmetic procedures and are not covered by health insurance. However, there are some exceptions:

• If hair loss is due to an injury or burn, insurance may cover reconstructive surgery.
• Some insurance plans may cover hair transplants if hair loss is caused by a medical condition like alopecia areata.
• In rare cases, if hair loss is causing significant psychological distress, insurance might cover treatment if deemed medically necessary by a mental health professional.

It's important to check with your specific insurance provider to understand your coverage options.

Low-level Laser Therapy

Source: Advanced Hair Studio UAE

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), cold laser therapy, photo biomodulation (PBM) or red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to the surface of the body to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth.

How much does Low-level laser therapy cost?

The cost of LLLT can vary depending on the device used and whether treatments are done at home or in a clinical setting. Home-use devices typically range from $200 to $1,000, while in-office treatments can cost $50 to $200 per session, with multiple sessions recommended.

Is Low-level laser therapy Covered by Insurance?

LLLT is generally not covered by insurance as it's often considered an experimental or cosmetic treatment. However, some insurance plans may cover it if prescribed by a doctor for specific medical conditions causing hair loss.

Finasteride

Source: Hair Palace

Finasteride, sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia among others, is a medication used to treat pattern hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men, it works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to male pattern baldness by preventing the hair follicle the necessary nutrition it needs.

Oral Finasteride Vs Topical Finasteride?

Oral Finasteride is taken as a daily pill and is FDA-approved for treating male pattern baldness. Topical Finasteride is a newer formulation applied directly to the scalp. While both forms can be effective, oral Finasteride is more widely studied and prescribed.

Unlike topical Finasteride, oral Finasteride is licensed as a hair loss drug by the MHRA. It’s also by far the most popular version of this drug, with more than two-thirds of ISHRS members recommending it, compared with just 17% who recommend topical Finasteride.

The fact that topical Finasteride isn’t yet licensed doesn’t necessarily indicate that the drug is unsafe. It just means there isn’t enough evidence yet to support its use among the general population. Since Finasteride in its topical form is a much newer formula, there isn’t yet enough research to approve it for widespread use.

That means topical Finasteride may be safe and even preferable to the oral medication in some cases. For example, some men avoid oral Finasteride because of the risk of systemic side effects. However, these risks are substantially lower with topical Finasteride.

Oral Finasteride has been linked with erectile dysfunction, as well as other adverse sexual effects. These are known as systemic side effects, as they impact parts of the body other than those you’re actively treating.

Systemic effects are only linked with oral Finasteride use, not topical Finasteride. That’s because oral Finasteride lowers DHT levels throughout your body, while topical Finasteride just reduces DHT levels in the scalp. So topical Finasteride may give you the benefits of the medication while reducing the risk of sexual side effects.

Topical Finasteride can also help you maintain your hair density after a course of oral Finasteride. Switching to topical Finasteride may allow you to retain your hair without taking tablets long-term.

Evidence also suggests topical Finasteride for women with female pattern baldness may be suitable. That’s because it’s unlikely to affect your hormone levels in the same way as oral Finasteride, reducing the risk for female hair loss patients. Learn more about female hair loss treatments.

How much does Oral Finasteride cost?

The cost of oral Finasteride can range from $10 to $80 per month, depending on whether you're using brand-name Propecia or generic finasteride.

How much does Topical Finasteride cost?

Topical Finasteride is less common and may cost between $50 to $100 per month, depending on the formulation and where it's purchased.

Is Finasteride Covered by Insurance?

Coverage for Finasteride varies by insurance plan. Some plans may cover it if prescribed for hair loss, while others may only cover it for treating prostate conditions. Generic versions are more likely to be covered than brand-name Propecia.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride is like Finasteride but blocks both types of the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. It's not FDA-approved for hair loss but is sometimes prescribed off-label.

Source: Accord HealthCare

How much does Dutasteride cost?

Dutasteride can cost between $30 to $250 per month, depending on whether you're using brand-name Avodart or a generic version.

Is Dutasteride Covered by Insurance?

Like Finasteride, coverage for Dutasteride varies by insurance plan. It's more commonly covered for treating prostate conditions rather than hair loss.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication that can be applied topically or taken orally to stimulate hair growth. Minoxidil stimulates hair growth in the treatment of male pattern baldness. It is not used for baldness at the front of the scalp or receding hairline in men.

The foam and 2 percent minoxidil solution is also used to help hair growth in women with thinning hair. Minoxidil belongs to a class of drugs known as vasodilators. It is not known how minoxidil causes hair growth. This medication is not used for sudden/patchy hair loss, unexplained hair loss (for example, if you have no family history of hair loss), or hair loss after giving birth. Do not use this product if you are 18 years old or younger.

Source: Minoxidil Hub

It’s not clear exactly how minoxidil works, but it does increase blood circulation which is beneficial to the growth of hair follicles. It also seems to directly stimulate hair follicle cells, helping reset the hair growth cycle and make the active growth phase last longer. These effects help fight against the effects of hair thinning associated with androgenetic alopecia which includes both male and female pattern hair loss.

Oral Minoxidil Vs Topical Minoxidil?

Topical Minoxidil is FDA-approved for hair loss and widely available. Oral Minoxidil is primarily used for blood pressure but can be prescribed off-label for hair loss. Topical application has fewer systemic side effects.

Is oral minoxidil more effective than topical minoxidil for hair loss? The answer seems to depend on the patient. In some cases, oral minoxidil may be a better option if a patient hasn’t responded to treatment with topical minoxidil or they’ve experienced side effects after using topical formulations. But the reverse can also be true, with some patients seeing good results with the topical form of the medication.

How much does Oral Minoxidil cost?

Oral Minoxidil can cost between $10 to $50 per month, depending on the dosage and whether you're using brand-name or generic versions.

How much does Topical Minoxidil cost?

Topical Minoxidil typically costs between $15 to $50 per month, depending on the brand and concentration.

Is Minoxidil Covered by Insurance?

Topical Minoxidil is usually not covered by insurance as it's available over the counter. Oral Minoxidil may be covered if prescribed for hypertension, but coverage for hair loss use varies by plan.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves injecting a concentration of the patient's own platelets into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.

Platelet-rich plasma consists of two elements: plasma, or the liquid portion of blood, and platelets, a type of blood cell that plays an important role in healing throughout the body. Platelets are well-known for their clotting abilities, but they also contain growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction and stimulate tissue regeneration or healing in the treated area. Platelet-rich plasma is simply blood that contains more platelets than normal.

Source: Xeoul Clinic

To create platelet-rich plasma, clinicians take a blood sample from the patient and place it into a device called a centrifuge that rapidly spins the sample, separating out the other components of the blood from the platelets and concentrating them within the plasma.

How much does Platelet-rich plasma therapy cost?

PRP therapy for hair loss typically costs between $500 to $2,500 per session, with multiple sessions often recommended.

Is Platelet-rich plasma therapy Covered by Insurance?

PRP therapy for hair loss is generally considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. However, some plans may cover it if deemed medically necessary for certain conditions.

Spironolactone

Spironolactone is primarily used to treat high blood pressure but can also be prescribed off-label for female pattern hair loss. Spironolactone works by blocking a hormone called aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone causes your body to retain sodium and water, which can increase blood pressure. Blocking aldosterone helps decrease the amount of sodium and water the body retains.

How much does Spironolactone cost?

Spironolactone typically costs between $10 to $60 per month, depending on the dosage and whether you're using brand-name or generic versions.

Is Spironolactone Covered by Insurance?

Spironolactone is often covered by insurance when prescribed for its primary uses like hypertension or heart failure. Coverage for hair loss use may vary by plan.

Corticosteroids

Steroid medications can provide a wide range of benefits for our health and wellness such as helping to treat diseases and inflammatory conditions. But can corticosteroid injections work for hair loss? And what if that hair loss is hormonal?

Corticosteroid can help reduce inflammation whether in your joints or scalp, but when it comes to hair loss and your individual needs, so much depends on you and your health. It can be injected into the scalp or taken orally to treat certain types of hair loss, particularly autoimmune-related hair loss.

How much do Corticosteroids cost?

The cost of corticosteroids can vary widely depending on the type, formulation, and whether it's injected or taken orally. Prices can range from $5 to $500 or more per treatment.

Are Corticosteroids Covered by Insurance?

Corticosteroids are often covered by insurance when prescribed for medical conditions, including certain types of hair loss caused by autoimmune disorders.

Collagen induction therapy (Microneedling/Dermarolling)

Collagen induction therapy, also known as microneedling, dermarolling, or skin needling, is a cosmetic procedure that involves using tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the scalp, stimulating collagen production and potentially promoting hair growth.

How much does Microneedling sessions cost?

Microneedling sessions for hair loss typically cost between $200 to $700 per session, with multiple sessions usually recommended.

Is Microneedling Covered by Insurance?

Microneedling for hair loss is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and not covered by insurance.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy for hair loss is an emerging treatment that involves using stem cells to regenerate hair follicles. Stem cell hair restoration is an innovative hair transplant procedure that can encourage the growth of your own, natural hair using your body’s stem cells! Unlike other hair transplant treatments that rely on relocating hair follicles, stem cell hair therapy is designed to restore the growth of natural hair follicles found on your scalp to achieve long-lasting results.

Your body’s stem cells are responsible for healing and repairing tissues. These stem cells are essential building blocks that can transform themselves into any type of cell. The layer of fat below the skin is home to countless mesenchymal stem cells. Thanks to revolutionary technology, these mesenchymal stem cells can be harvested in order to take advantage of their regenerative properties. When introduced into areas of thinning hair, your stem cells can help regenerate hair follicles to restore proper hair growth.

How much does Stem cell therapy cost?

As an experimental treatment, the cost of stem cell therapy for hair loss can vary widely, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 or more per session.

Is Stem cell therapy Covered by Insurance?

Stem cell therapy for hair loss is considered experimental and is not typically covered by insurance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while many effective hair loss treatments are available, insurance coverage for these treatments is often limited. Most hair loss treatments are considered cosmetic and therefore not covered by standard health insurance plans. However, if hair loss is due to a medical condition or causing significant psychological distress, some treatments may be covered. It's always best to consult with both your healthcare provider and insurance company to understand your specific options and coverage. Additionally, some clinics offer financing options or payment plans to make treatments more accessible. As research in this field continues to advance, it's possible that coverage policies may evolve in the future to include more hair loss treatments.