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.

Bill Summary: Medicare Coverage for Wigs

This bill would change Medicare rules to allow wigs to be covered as "durable medical equipment" — the same category that includes things like wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen equipment. Currently, Medicare does not cover wigs, meaning patients who need them for medical reasons must pay out of pocket. If passed, this change would allow eligible Medicare beneficiaries to receive financial help paying for a wig through their Medicare benefits.

The people most directly affected would be Medicare beneficiaries — generally adults 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities — who experience hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments. This most commonly includes cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, but could also apply to people with conditions like alopecia or other illnesses that cause significant hair loss. For these individuals, a wig can be an important part of maintaining quality of life and mental well-being during a difficult time, and the cost (often hundreds of dollars) can be a real financial burden.

The bill was recently introduced in the House of Representatives and has been sent to two committees — the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means — which will review it before it can move forward. At this stage, the bill has not been voted on or passed into law. It is common for bills to be referred to committees as a routine early step in the legislative process.