Helping patients with insurance claims

Most insurance companies are notoriously stingy when it comes to paying for a medical hair prosthesis. This atitude comes out of the assumption that a wig or hairpiece is only about vanity and that any stock wig or hairpiece will suffice to treat medically related hair loss. Here's what everyone knows but insurance providers won't admit: Stock wigs and hairpieces don't look natural.

Men and women often buy stock wigs and hairpieces for the sake of fashion and vanity, but unless the patient was one of those men or women before, it isn't likely that wearing one of these products will be an emotionally positive experience. Insurance companies need to understand this in order to adequately serve their customers, and you, as a medical professional, can help your patients get the most from their insurance company.

1. Write a prescription. A prescription for a medical hair prosthesis is necessary for most insurance claims. It may help to note on the prescription that it is "for the mental well-being of the patient" as well.
2. Give your patient the ICD-9 code. Some insurance companies require a copy of the bill for their MHP to include their diagnosis code, so giving the code to them now will save time when they file their claim.
3. Give your patient a written description. Even if it's prewritten. It may help a patient for you to give them a written statement that your prescription is for a custom made prosthetic and not a stock wig.