H.R. 7546: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.
The bill, designated as H.R. 7546, proposes amendments to the Social Security Act to allow Medicare to cover wigs, specifically referred to as "cranial prostheses," as durable medical equipment. This coverage would be available if certain medical conditions that cause hair loss are certified by an individual's healthcare provider, such as a dermatologist or oncologist. The specific health conditions mentioned include autoimmune diseases, cancer, or hair loss associated with chemotherapy treatments.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Coverage for Cranial Prostheses: Wigs would be recognized and covered under Medicare as durable medical equipment. This change would mean patients can receive financial support for wigs if their doctor confirms that they are medically necessary due to specific health conditions.
- Certification Requirement: To qualify for coverage, the patient must have written certification from their healthcare provider stating that the wig is a necessary part of their treatment plan for hair loss related to their medical condition.
- Amendments to Existing Law: The bill also includes technical amendments to clarify when wigs are covered and alters existing language in the law to incorporate these changes.
Rationale
The intent behind this bill is to alleviate some of the financial burden on individuals who experience hair loss due to medical conditions, allowing greater access to wigs for those undergoing treatment and addressing their emotional and psychological well-being.
Implementation
If passed, this bill would require adjustments to Medicare's billing and coverage processes to include these specific provisions for cranial prostheses. It is expected that healthcare providers will be informed about the certification process needed for patients to access this benefit.
Relevant Companies
- AVGO (Broadcom Inc.): Potentially impacted as a supplier of technologies used in healthcare devices and medical equipment.
- HSIC (Henry Schein, Inc.): May see an increase in demand for medical supplies, including wigs as part of their healthcare product offerings.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
2 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Feb. 12, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Feb. 12, 2026 | Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
Corporate Lobbying
0 companies lobbying
None found.
* Note that there can be significant delays in lobbying disclosures, and our data may be incomplete.
