How to get laser hair removal covered by insurance? The cost of laser depilation is only medically covered by medical insurance companies if there is reasonable suspicion that the procedure is medically necessary.
You can increase your chances of being approved if you seek treatment from a doctor. Laser hair removal is a non-invasive method in which concentrated pulses of light act on the melanin in the hair follicle.
The light destroyed by the absorbed light prevents the hair follicle from growing further. The skin has no pain or side effects during this procedure.
For best results, you should approve several treatments for several weeks. Laser hair removal can be performed on various body areas, including the face, legs, abdomen, arms, underarms, back, chest, and bikini line.
Shaving, plucking, waxing, bleaching, and creams are just a few of the many methods available on the cosmetic market to treat and reduce unwanted hair. These options are attractive at first glance because they are convenient and affordable, but they do not guarantee long-term results and can be expensive and time-consuming in the long run.
Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure, and you should pay for it from your savings (according to specialists).
However, if laser hair removal is deemed necessary due to a condition caused by excessive hair growth, it may be partially or fully covered by insurance.
How to Get Laser Hair Removal Covered by Insurance?
Has your doctor argued the case?
Unnecessary body hair bothers many women, especially teenage girls who are not sensitive to hormones.
Overgrowth of hair could be related to such hormonal imbalances as polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes, obesity, thyroid problems, and cancers. These conditions can lead to other physical problems besides excessive hair growth, but your doctor can explain them better than you can.
You don’t have to worry about shaving every other day, and you can submit the appropriate code to your insurance company and justify your decision. However, if you have a good understanding with your doctor, ask them to take out insurance for you: it may be in your best interest.
Visit doctors who perform laser hair removal in their offices.
Doctors who perform cosmetic procedures in their offices are more aware of their patients’ image problems.
They will be able to resolve your case effectively. Even if your insurance does not cover the cost of laser hair removal, there are usually discounts and payment plans available.
Get to a doctor while you’re a kid!
If your teenage child has too much hair, your doctor can probably help you with this problem. Teenagers have very high self-esteem when it comes to their appearance.
A doctor who sees a young girl with a five o’clock shadow may be more likely to break insurance rules and help the teen due to psychological issues such as depression and anxiety.
Is a Necessary Medication Causing your Excessive Body Hair?
These medications may affect testosterone levels in the body. Some medications containing steroids and hormone therapies can cause a downward appearance. If the medications are necessary and stopping them could harm your health, your doctor may prescribe free laser hair removal.
However, he may try to find an alternative medication that does not have adverse side effects.
If all else fails, try to find a particular fund. If CareCredit or Comenity’s rates and offers aren’t for you, consider a credit card to finance and pay for your laser hair removal.
Which Procedures Can you Cover?
If you have a medical condition caused by excessive hair growth, your insurance may cover some or all of the cost of laser hair removal. These conditions include the following.
Folliculitis
- It is an ailment of the follicles that may occur everywhere else on the skin or hairline if the hair shaft is injured, inflamed, or obstructed.
- Folliculitis is not deadly, but it can produce redness, stinging, pain, and blemish signs.
- There can be infection, full harm to the hair scalp, hair loss, and scarring in extreme cases.
- Treatments are helpful in favorable situations, but laser hair removal is better if topical or oral pharmacological treatments fail.
Cushing’s syndrome
- Cushing’s syndrome is a condition in which a person’s cortisol levels are abnormally high due to long-term usage of corticosteroids or prednisolone.
- Patches, hypertension, weight increase, fat buildup, delicate skin, bone loss, severe tiredness, muscular weakness, decreased libido, and extreme body hair growth is common signs.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- (PCOS) is a thyroid problem that impairs the normal reproductive process in women.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome treatment focuses on the particular difficulties of individual patients. It is also a prominent source of hirsutism, an abnormal development of pubic hair in women in males (on the arms, chest, belly, and face).
- Individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome and discoloration might benefit from laser hair removal.
Congenital Adrenocortical Hyperplasia
- Congenital adrenocortical hyperplasia is a collection of hereditary illnesses characterized by aberrant cortisol and aldosterone release in the glands and androgen overproduction.
- As a result, males acquire masculine features that scientists would generally observe in females early.
- In women, signs comprise inconsistent menstruation, weak speech, sterility, and hair development.
Cancer
- Hypothyroidism may cause ovarian or pancreatic cancer in some conditions.
- It causes masculine features in patients by producing cortisol, angiotensin, estrogen, and androgen.
- Excessive androgen is produced by stroma carcinoma, ovarian cancer that may cause acne, and abundant hair in the groin area, armpits, and cheeks.
Taking a Look at Your Eligibility
Find out whether your insurance covers this operation. Whether you have a health condition that produces ugly hair growth and seriously impacts your life, the option to find out if they would cover laser hair removal is to check your insurance coverage and call your insurance provider.
And your physician decides that laser therapy is the best option. Your health insurance may cover the operation.
Medical insurance companies will only pay for cosmetic procedures if they’ve got good reasons to think they are medically essential. You may urge your physician to intervene to boost your odds of acceptance. An expert physician can best persuade the insurance company with their reasoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of Laser Hair Removal?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of laser surgery in the United States is $429. The average cost for laser hair removal of small areas in the pubic region is between $350 and $500.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair therapy is a permanent hair removal method that uses laser pulses to get rid of the hair follicle. On the other hand, a laser destroys the hair follicle and prevents it from growing back.
What makes up the Cost of Laser Hair Removal?
According to Dr. Guanche and Dr. Hartman, the price of laser hair removal usually includes a consultation fee. After treatment, it is a local anesthetic to relieve pain, laser treatment, and local medications such as a sedative and sunscreen.
How Many Sessions of Laser Hair Removal are necessary?
Laser hair removal can reduce hair thickness after one treatment. However, it takes 4-6 treatments to remove it altogether. On the other hand, doctors recommend treatments every 4-6 weeks for the first year, depending on hair growth.
Laser Hair Removal vs. Electrolysis Which Is Better
- Laser hair removal is becoming more common, increasing by about 30% since 2013.
- Electrolysis is also quite rampant, but it is not as common as laser treatment.
- Laser hair removal performs on most face and body areas.
- Except for the eye area. This allows for a flexible approach.
- In addition, there is little or no recovery time.
- You can return to your normal activities after each treatment.
- The new hair will continue to grow.
Bottom line
Laser hair reduction is practically impossible to be part of medical insurance coverage. Since they accept this procedure for cosmetic reasons, they don’t consider it medically necessary. But remember that they may charge you a very high rate. Most insurance policies only cover necessary treatments and procedures if your hair problem becomes unmanageable.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. residents can only deduct the cost of these services (or most other medical services) if they exceed 10% of their annual income.
Resources
- https://www.scoi.com/doctors/carlos-guanche-md
- https://swmphs.com/blog/how-many-sessions-do-you-need-for-laser-hair-removal/
- https://www.missmalini.com/2018/06/07/after-4-laser-hair-removal-sessions-heres-my-verdict/
- https://chetcomedical.com/how-many-sessions-do-you-need-for-laser-hair-removal/
- https://www.irs.gov/
- https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-hair-removal/cost
- https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502