Hair loss problems may take a toll on your self-esteem. This problem can also lead to much greater issues, such as depression and many other psychological disorders.
It is easy to say that you can resolve hair loss by getting professional help and treatment.
But this problem is made worse for some of us who don’t have enough funds to cover hair loss treatment.
So in this article, we’ll talk about how Health Saving Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) can be used to save money on treatments and what other hair loss treatments you can choose that fit your preference and budget.
Let’s dive in!
Is Treatment For Hair Loss Covered By Insurance?
Not all hair loss treatments are treated the same by insurance.
If you opt for over-the-counter hair loss treatments, such as Rogaine, or cosmetic therapies like PRP treatments, there’s a safe chance this can’t be covered by many insurance providers.
But if your physician prescribed hair growth medications that are medically required to treat its underlying cause, you might benefit from the coverage of your private insurance.
Finally, insurance does not cover any hair restoration procedure as it is considered elective. But your provider will cover treatments for medical conditions with hair loss as one of its symptoms.
Is A Hair Loss Treatment HSA Eligible?
Since anything used to promote hair regeneration is deemed cosmetic rather than a qualified medically-necessary procedure, you cannot utilize your HSA funds coverage.
But if your hair problems are caused by an underlying cause that creates bald spots in your head, HSA funds may cover your vitamins and other needs to address these symptoms.
As long as your hair problems are brought on by your underlying medical condition, you may be allowed to utilize HSA to pay for supplements for hair loss caused by vitamin deficiencies.
You might even use your HSA fund to purchase a wig, as long as you have a letter from your healthcare provider as proof that you will use it for medical needs.
For example, if you lose hair due to chemotherapy to treat cancer or if you are receiving other treatments prescribed by your doctors, you may be able to use your HSA funds.
Is A Hair Loss Treatment FSA Eligible?
Similar to your HSA, FSA funds can’t be utilized if you receive hair loss treatments only for cosmetic and not for medical purposes, like treating alopecia areata.
However, these funds can be used for purchasing medicines and other supplements for hair growth related to vitamin deficiencies, especially if your hair loss is due to medical health problems.
Additionally, wigs are eligible for reimbursement using your FSA fund if you lost part or all of your hair due to medical therapy, such as radiation and chemo. You only need to show a medical diagnosis to determine and prove your eligibility.
How To Use HSA Or FSA For Eligible Hair Loss Treatments
It can be confusing sometimes to deal with insurance companies and make sure your treatments are eligible. Because of this, we’ll share some steps to cover hair loss treatments with your HSA or FSA benefits.
#1. Review Insurance Policy
HSA and FSA are both plans that allow you to contribute pre-tax dollars and use them for certain approved health-related expenses and services.
Again, you can only use it for approved medical necessity only and not for all kinds of hair restoration treatments.
That is why reading and reviewing the insurance policy is important for us to understand what is covered and what is not, what exclusions may take away the coverage, and what conditions must be met for the coverage to apply.
#2. Talk To Your Insurance Provider
Why is talking with your service provider important if you have already reviewed the insurance policy?
Communication with your insurance provider is an essential part of the claim process. Talking to them will provide some insights and answer some questions that might help you save money for the hair loss treatments you are undergoing.
Having a discussion with them will also let you know what hair growth treatments and services are considered cosmetic and what is not.
#3. Reason For Insurance
Before you access your money on your HSA or FSA funds for hair loss treatment, you must first show your provider the reason they should grant your request.
As we said earlier, not all hair growth products and treatments are eligible for your provider to cover unless you can show them medical confirmation endorsed by your doctor.
#4. Talk To Your Doctor
Always ask for professional advice before getting into any treatment plan used for hair growth.
These doctors know the most effective treatment for you to avoid further hair loss caused by medical problems, which can be covered by your FSA and HSA fund.
#5. Order Hair Loss Treatment
After doing the steps above, the next thing to do is find the right hair loss treatment and pay for it using your HSA or FSA fund.
You can either show your HSA or FSA card upon purchasing your preferred hair growth product or opt for reimbursement by submitting a receipt after purchase.
What Causes Hair Loss?
Hair loss problems cannot only affect your head but may also affect your whole body sometimes. Several conditions can result in either permanent or temporary hair loss.
It can be caused by a medical illness, hormonal shifts, hereditary, or even a normal part of aging.
Temporary Hair Loss
Temporary hair loss is generally initiated by a stressful event or psychologically distressing experience. But certain medical conditions can also trigger this, such as hypothyroidism or having a chemotherapy session to battle cancer.
Generally, temporary hair loss can occur and last anywhere between 2-5 months.
Permanent Hair Loss
We can say that hair loss is permanent if most of the hair follicles are dormant and scarred, making hair regrowth almost impossible.
Although different underlying reasons can provoke this, the most common causes are Alopecia Areata and Androgenic Alopecia, a genetically predetermined disorder.
What Is Alopecia?
Alopecia or alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder wherein your immune system attacks hair follicles, causing your hair to fall off. It results in thinning hair or even baldness.
The amount of hair loss is different for everyone. Some may lose it only in a few spots on their head but may lose a lot compared to others.
What Is The Best Treatment For Men’s Hair Loss?
The use of topical minoxidil solution is one of the most doctor’s prescribed and trusted hair loss treatments today in the US. It is FDA-cleared and available as an over-the-counter drug.
When applied to your scalp, minoxidil helps stimulate hair follicles to encourage new hair growth in adult men and even women.
What Other Medications Treat Men’s Hair Loss?
If topical minoxidil causes irritation or any allergic reactions on your skin and scalp, you might consider taking it orally, as prescribed by your doctor.
But you can also try other hair loss treatments, such as finasteride and dutasteride.
Both of these drugs are made as a prescription to treat enlarged prostate for men and have been proven to help reduce hair loss and promote hair regrowth in men with androgenetic alopecia.
Other Treatments For Hair Loss
#1. Low-Level Laser Therapy
Another effective and popular way for treating alopecia is using laser treatment using FDA-approved laser hair caps.
This non-invasive therapy is known for its convenience, affordability, and effectiveness. It uses a medical-grade low-level laser to stimulate every hair follicle under your scalp while promoting proper blood flow in your head.
#2. DHT Blocker Supplements
Studies show that DHT blocker supplements or medications, such as saw palmetto and finasteride, help halt hair loss in men and even help healthy hair to regrow again.
DHT, also known as dihydrotestosterone, is a male sex hormone that binds with the receptors of your scalp that causes hair loss in men.
By blocking DHT in your body, supplements can stop hair follicles from shrinking for the first few months until hair can regrow more healthily and naturally.
#3. Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are commonly used by athletes to support joint injury and wound-healing trauma.
It is mainly composed of plasma and platelets, which are known for their significant role in helping our body recover from injuries.
And today, thanks to recent studies and research, PRP injections are used by doctors to treat hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia.
#4. Additional Hair Loss Treatments For Men
Although it was much pricier than other choices, hair transplants are still a viable option if you want fast and natural-looking hair that can last permanently.
But if your alopecia is caused by vitamin D deficiency, this is because you are spending the majority of your time indoors or not eating foods with enough nutrients. Taking vitamin D supplements can help your hair loss problems.
Lastly, you can also opt to use micro needling. This anti-aging skin treatment uses a skin roller with small needles that create wounds in the skin to regenerate the health of hair follicles on the scalp.
Conclusion
Hair loss treatment can be costly for many of us.
But treating hair loss is an investment not only for cosmetic purposes. Some are due to a medical condition that is needed to be attended to by professionals.
Fortunately, you might have the option of using your insurance to purchase hair growth treatments that can fit your preference and budget. You can either use your HSA or FSA that comes with your insurance policy.
But ensure discussing this with your insurance provider to see if you are eligible, get a medical reason from your doctor, and then submit the insurance claims for this treatment.
After making sure your insurance covers the hair treatment, you will be on your way to better, fuller, and healthier hair.
Fact Checked by our Director of Dermatology – We know that understanding how your skin and hair work can seem scary, so my team and I devote our time to thoroughly researching every single topic and product we write about. We hope you find our reviews helpful and informative.
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