Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance?, laser hair removal, what Is Laser Hair Removal?, who Should Try Laser Hair Removal?, laser hair...
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Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance? | digitalskillsguide.com
Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance?
laser hair removal
Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance? In this post, we got you covered with the answers regarding Laser Hair Removal insurance coverage.
Shaving, tweezing, threading, waxing, bleaching, creams — the beauty market offers no shortage of ways to remove or reduce the appearance of unwanted body hair. While these options may initially be appealing for their ease and affordability, they do not produce lasting results and can wind up being costlier and more time-consuming in the long run. Laser hair removal is a popular alternative for patients who wish to reduce the growth of excessive or unwanted hair and enjoy long-lasting results.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is one of the most common treatments for unwanted hair. This method works by targeting hair follicles with intense pulses of light. These pulses cause the hair follicle to shrink and eventually fall out.
Below is detailed information about, Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance?
Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance? Table of Contents
1. Who Should Try Laser Hair Removal?
2. Medically necessary laser hair removal conditions that are fully or partially covered by health insurance
2.1 Folliculitis
2.2 Cushing’s Syndrome
2.3 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
2.4 Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
2.5 Cancer
3. Assessing Your Eligibility
4. Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
5. The Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal
5.1 Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal for Large Areas
5.2 Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal for Small Areas
5.3 What’s Included in the Cost of Laser Hair Removal?
6. Advantages Of Laser Hair Removal Treatment
7. Disadvantages of Laser hair removal
Conclusion
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Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance?
1. Who Should Try Laser Hair Removal?
If you’re looking for a quick solution to unwanted facial hair, laser hair removal might be right for you. You should consider laser hair removal if you have sensitive skin, such as thinning scalp hair, sunburned skin, or eczema. Also, if you have any medical conditions, such as psoriasis, dermatitis, or rosacea, hair removal may not be appropriate for you.
Laser hair reduction is a noninvasive treatment that uses pulses of concentrated light to target melanin in a hair follicle. When the light is absorbed, it damages the follicle and inhibits its ability to produce future growth. The skin is not harmed during the process. Optimal results are achieved over a series of sessions spread weeks apart. Laser hair reduction can be performed on a variety of areas, including the face, legs, abdomen, arms, underarms, back, chest and bikini line.
In most cases, laser hair reduction is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and is paid for out of pocket. However, in cases where it is deemed medically necessary due to a condition that causes excessive hair growth, laser hair reduction may be partially or fully covered by insurance. These conditions include:
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Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance?
2. Medically necessary laser hair removal conditions that are fully or partially covered by health insurance
Medically necessary conditions that causes excessive hair growth, that laser hair removal may be partially or fully covered by insurance includes:
2.1 Folliculitis
Folliculitis is an infection that develops in the hair follicles. This condition can occur almost anywhere on the skin or scalp when the follicles are damaged, irritated or blocked. Although folliculitis is not life-threatening, it causes patches of red bumps that resemble an acne breakout and can be itchy, sore and embarrassing. Severe cases can lead to further infection, permanent damage to the follicles, hair loss, scarring and dark spots on the skin. Medication is a suitable treatment for milder cases, but when oral or topical prescriptions prove ineffective, laser hair reduction may be a more fitting way of addressing the issue.
Read Also: Can insurance cover laser hair removal in 2022
2.2 Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome can develop when the body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol, often as a result of taking glucocorticoid or corticosteroid medicine over an extended period. Common symptoms include a rounded face, stretch marks, high blood pressure, weight gain and fatty tissue deposits, fragile skin that bruises easily, bone loss, extreme fatigue, weak muscles, low libido and extra hair growth on the body and face.
2.3 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is a hormonal imbalance affecting women that interferes with normal reproductive processes. It is associated with irregular periods, oily skin, acne, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, infertility and trouble sleeping. It is also one of the leading causes of hirsutism, abnormal hair growth in women that appears in a masculine distribution (arms, chest, abdomen, face). PCOS treatment focuses on managing each patient’s specific concerns. For PCOS patients experiencing hirsutism, laser hair reduction can offer a solution.
2.4 Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia refers to a group of hereditary disorders characterized by abnormal production of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone by the adrenal glands. This genetic defect also causes overproduction of male sex hormones, which causes male characteristics to develop early in boys and appear in girls and women. For female patients, symptoms can include irregular periods, a deep voice, infertility and increased facial hair growth.
2.5 Cancer
In rare cases, a tumor in the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause hirsutism. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a cancer of the adrenal glands that can produce cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen or testosterone, leading to the development of male characteristics in female patients. Stromal cell cancer, a type of ovarian cancer, can also lead to excess testosterone production, causing acne and excessive pubic, underarm and facial hair growth.
Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance?
3. Assessing Your Eligibility
The only way to be sure your laser hair reduction will be covered by insurance is to review your policy and contact your provider. If you suffer from a medical problem that causes uncomfortable hair growth that has a demonstrable negative impact on your life, and a doctor has determined laser hair reduction is the most appropriate course of action, your insurance company may pay for the treatment. An insurance company will only provide coverage for laser hair reduction if they have sufficient reason to consider it a medically necessary procedure.
To increase the chance of having your claim approved, ask your doctor to advocate on your behalf. A knowledgeable medical professional is in the strongest position to present a compelling case to your insurance company. Be sure to visit a doctor and qualified laser specialist for your treatment. Though some spas, medspas and esthetician offices offer laser hair reduction, insurance will only cover the procedure when it is performed in the office of a medical doctor.
4. Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
No, laser hair removal does not hurt. In fact, it’s one of the safest ways to remove unwanted hair. A laser beam is used to heat up the hair follicle, causing it to shrink and fall out. This process takes only seconds. Afterward, the area will feel warm, but there won’t be any pain or discomfort.
Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Health Insurance?
5. The Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is often considered a beauty investment. It costs more money than shaving or waxing, but over time, when treatments are no longer needed, you can save money on body hair removal costs.
Many factors affect the price of this procedure. “Costs for laser hair removal vary by body area treated, geographical location, the expertise of the person performing the procedure, and time to perform the procedure,” says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, M.D., founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. “Individual treatment session costs are generally in the range of $100 to $800.”
In 2020, the average cost of laser hair removal with no other related expenses was $389, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons[1].
Below, we dig into the average costs for common treatment areas. Remember that the average prices listed below are per treatment, and you may need four to six treatments overall, according to Dr. Guanche.
5.1 Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal for Large Areas
If you are getting laser hair removal on large areas of your body, such as your back or legs, the cost will likely be more expensive than removing hair from small areas. “Generally, a large area like the back or legs can be upwards of $600 per treatment,” says Dr. Guanche.
5.2 Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal for Small Areas
Smaller areas of the body are going to be less expensive. This can include the bikini line, underarms and facial areas like chins, lips and sideburns. “The bikini can be anywhere from $250 to $350 per treatment, depending on whether it is a Brazilian [removing hair from the labial to the perianal areas] or normal v-shaped bikini [removing hair from the groin areas, leaving a V or patch of hair on the mons pubis],” says Dr. Guanche. She adds that the lower face and chin can average about $250 per treatment, and underarm hair removal can range between $175 to $225 per treatment.
5.3 What’s Included in the Cost of Laser Hair Removal?
The cost of laser hair removal typically includes the office visit, the application of topical anesthetic to numb the pain, the laser treatment and the post-care topical application of products like soothing agents and sunscreen, according to both Dr. Guanche and Dr. Hartman.
6. Advantages Of Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Everything has its benefits, and I know you want to experience that. So let’s all see what laser hair removal treatment has stored for us. Some of the said benefits include:
#1. Precise hair removal
Since lasers are used in the method, these lights will mostly fix the follicles as long the light touches them. In addition, the laser targets the course black hairs, which makes it more accurate and precise.
#2. Fast
Laser Hair Removal is a quick way to remove unwanted hairs and pulses that takes only a millisecond to treat several hairs all at once. So to estimate it all, a session of laser hair removal treatment will only last for a couple of minutes.
#3. Lighter hair growth and color
After the hair follicle has been damaged, the new hair that will spring out tends to be lighter and denser than the initial hair before the treatment. The new hair will be a few shades darker than the latter.
#4. Efficient and long-lasting
You may have to come back for a few more sessions, but others who have undergone the treatment see long-term results after constantly returning for treatment sessions.
7. Disadvantages of Laser hair removal
The most common side effects of laser hair removal include:
Pigment changes. Laser hair removal might darken or lighten the affected skin. These changes might be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening primarily affects those who don't avoid sun exposure before or after treatment and those who have darker skin.
Conclusion
So if you are wondering how to get laser hair removal covered by health insurance, you should consult with your insurance provider and your agreed policies to be sure. So before you go ahead and open the gates of the hairless skin after the treatment, make sure that you have already read through and completely understand the advantages and disadvantages of laser hair removal.
