Are Wigs Covered by Medicare?

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not usually cover wigs for alopecia, cancer, or other hair prostheses.

Original Medicare may cover some aspects of cancer treatment, such as certain screenings and chemotherapy. Medicare may also cover other prostheses (not including wigs).

If Medicare covers your cancer treatment or prostheses, a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan can help cover some of your out-of-pocket costs, such as Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, copays and more.

While Medicare doesn't cover wigs, it may cover other cancer treatment and prosthetic devices.

Medicare Part B Covers Other Prostheses

Prostheses are defined as artificial body parts — such as a leg, arm, or breast implant. Your Medicare Part B coverage will help pay for certain prostheses, but only certain types and  in certain situations.

Typically, Medicare Part B only covers prosthetic devices when they are needed to replace an external body part or function. Some examples of prostheses covered by Original Medicare include:

• Breast prostheses

• Cochlear implants and other surgically implanted devices
  

• Ostomy bags
  

• Urological supplies

• Eye and facial prostheses

• Limb prostheses

Remember, with any medical device or service it's good to ask your doctor or healthcare provider about what your Medicare policy will help pay for.

Even if a service or procedure is covered by Medicare, there are some out-of-pocket costs that may be left to you to pay, including:

• Part A deductible

• Part B deductible

• Part A coinsurance

• Part B coinsurance or copayment

Medigap Plans Can Cover Some of Your Prostheses and Cancer Treatment Medicare Costs

To get help covering some of your Medicare out-of-pocket costs, consider enrolling in Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). 

For example, each of the 10 standardized Medigap plans that are available in most states provide at least partial coverage for the Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments you might face when you receive covered outpatient cancer treatments or prostheses.

Learn more about common procedures that Medicare covers.

A licensed agent can help you decide on a Medicare option that works for you. Call today to speak with a licensed agent and compare the Medigap plans that are available where you live.

Christian Worstell is a health care and policy writer for MedicareSupplement.com. He has written hundreds of articles helping people better understand their Medicare coverage options.