Many individuals feel insecure about losing their hair, but most can’t quite put their finger on it when they try to describe those feelings at first. Once someone feels this way they normally start considering hair transplant options for example; they are either suffering from severe recession on their hairline or thinning of their hair at the crown (where top of head is). The second most common inquiry among those considering surgery is “Will hair transplant insurance cover this procedure?”
The answer is yes; in the vast majority of cases there will be no reimbursement or payment made. But again, this is just the start towards answering the question above. With knowledge about everything involved to answer your question you can hopefully save a lot of time and money in the process.
Is Hair Transplant Covered by Insurance in India?
In India, hair transplants are treated as cosmetic procedures by most insurance policies. Medical or emergency procedures cannot be covered by a standard health plan because they are elective. However, there may be valid reasons for a claim to be considered:
- Hair loss after being burned/after an accident or as a result of a surgical scar (under some firms with this understanding these may consider the restoration process under a reconstructive type coverage);
- If you can support with documentary proof of alopecia resulting from a medical condition (such as cancer, lupus and/or a thyroid disorder), your appeal has a super slim chance of being accepted (if you can provide sufficient supporting documentation of your condition);
- There is some insurance coverage on scalp conditions that have caused long term damage due to infections or diseases (e.g., cicatricial alopecia).
Even if you have determination that some form of coverage exists it does not guarantee your approval you must also provide sufficient documentation from a licensed dermatologist or trichologist.
Steps to File a Hair Transplant Insurance Claim
If you believe your case qualifies, here’s how to go about it:
Step One — Thoroughly Review Policy Documentation Review your health insurance policy carefully for terms like “exclusion of cosmetic surgery,” “reconstructive cosmetic procedures,” or “elective cosmetic surgery.” This will determine your options before you spend time creating a claim.
Step Two — Obtain Medical Certificate from Your Physician Having a written report from your physician documenting that the hair loss is a result of a medical condition, not simply due to the natural process of aging or genetic predisposition, greatly strengthens your case when filing a claim. Giving your physician as much detail about the diagnosis as possible will only further enhance your chances for success.
Step Three — Contact Your Insurer Prior to undergoing treatment contact your insurance provider via telephone or in writing and ask them to confirm whether hair restoration falls under the category of reconstructive surgery, as per your policy. Make sure that you receive the confirmations that were given to you verbally from the insurance provider in writing.
Step Four — Prepare Pre-Authorization Insurance companies typically require pre-authorization prior to undergoing a surgical procedure. When completing this submission you will need to include your physician’s supporting report, records documenting the diagnosis, and treatment plan as outlined through your clinic. Photographs may also be required by some insurers.
Step Five — Maintain All Records After completing treatment, (post-operatively) you should retain all documents regarding the procedure including all bills, discharge summary, prescriptions and follow-up reports, as these will be needed to submit to the insurance provider for the purpose of being reimbursed for the cost of treatment.
Step Six — Submit Claim as Soon as Possible Insurance providers typically provide a window of time (30-90 days post treatment) in which a claim can be filed. After the expiration of this window, an otherwise eligible claim may be denied simply due to late submission.
What If Insurance Doesn’t Cover It?
In most cases, most people will be faced with this situation; If you have no hair- transplant insurance, it is helpful for you to know how much your hair- transplant will cost out of pocket.
Hence, the male hair transplant cost in India is generally between INR 40,000 – 150,000 depending upon the number of graft(s), the technique used (e.g. FUE, FUSE or FUT), and the location of where the clinic is situated. Many of the high-end clinics located in the major metropolitan cities will charge significantly more than non-metropolitan ones, but the end-result from the more expensive clinics will generally be much higher quality and durable than those from the less-expensive clinics.
You do have a financial concern with upfront cost of surgery, now, many reputable clinics are allowing you to use EMI/financing to help you make long-term financial plans, without putting your surgery on hold.
Understanding Hair Regrowth Treatment Costs
There may also be other non-surgical choices available to you prior to choosing to have a complete graft. hair regrowth treatment cost in India varies considerably; for example, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment can run anywhere from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000 for each session and can require many sessions over several months. The cost of medication such as Minoxidil and Finasteride are much less but the best use of these medications would be upon diagnosis of early stages of baldness.
For the best long-term outcome, surgical restoration is still going to be your best option.
Choosing the Right Clinic Matters More Than the Cost
Even if you pay for the care yourself, the kind of care you get will ultimately determine what your results are going to be for a lifetime. For people considering where to go for hair restoration, they need to think about more than just how much the treatments will be when they’re looking for the best hair transplant in Delhi, they need to look at a surgeon’s qualifications and experience, methods used during surgery, and the clinic’s overall success rate based on the number of surgeries performed by that doctor.
Dr Arvind Poswal developed the FUSE (Follicular Unit Separation Extraction) method, which is a stitch less, non-surgical approach to hair restoration that produces more natural-appearing hairlines and offers a more rapid recovery in comparison to previous hair transplantation methods. There are thousands of individuals in India and around the world that have been treated at Fuse Hair Clinic and found not only their hair to be restored, but also their confidence.
Final Thoughts
Obtaining a hair transplant through insurance is challenging in India; however, it is not completely impossible if the cause of your hair loss is due to a medical issue instead of genetics. The importance of adequate documentation, early contact with your insurance company and clear knowledge of your policy’s parameters will be vital in your success.
If insurance isn’t an option, having a hair transplant is still a very sound investment in your self-image and overall confidence when performed at a quality, experienced facility.
If you are ready to make that next step, reach out to the professionals at Fuse Hair for a complimentary, one-on-one consultation and honest advice.