Is Laser Hair Removal Covered by Insurance for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

laser hair removal covered by insurance PCOS

Laser hair removal offers a safe, effective, and permanent solution to unwanted body hair. Furthermore, it can eliminate skin conditions like folliculitis and reduce pigmentation.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance in women that often results in excessive facial hair growth known as hirsutism – leading to excessive facial, chest, and abdominal hair growth which has the ability to significantly undermine an individual’s confidence and appearance.

Costs

There are various factors that determine the cost of laser hair removal. The total expense will depend on factors like area size being treated, number of sessions needed and the type of laser used; some lasers require multiple sessions to achieve desired results which will add additional costs; for darker skin tones specialized laser technologies may also be required in order to reach desired results; therefore it’s wise to discuss costs with your physician prior to beginning treatments.

Health insurance typically does not cover cosmetic procedures like laser hair removal; however, some policies may cover it if you suffer from an illness that leads to abnormal hair growth, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormonal imbalance which causes excessive hair growth among women. Additionally, irregular periods, oily skin issues, acne breakouts and weight gain may result; in such instances some policies cover laser hair removal treatments for PCOS patients provided they can demonstrate its necessity.

Laser hair removal is a non-invasive and safe method of eliminating unwanted body hair, providing an alternative to shaving or waxing and more rapid than manual methods of removal such as using tweezers or manual techniques.

Laser hair removal sessions typically cost an average of $389; however, prices can differ depending on your location and area being treated. To lower costs further, discuss payment plans or financing plans with your plastic surgeon; you could also try finding local clinics offering discounted pricing or package deals.

Consider all costs related to laser hair removal as part of your overall treatment budget, from local anesthetic costs and additional fees for larger areas, to annual maintenance visits. Keep in mind that laser hair removal isn’t always a permanent solution so expect regular follow up.

Benefits

Laser hair removal offers an effective and permanent solution to unwanted body hair. It can help reduce the effects of hirsutism, an abnormal increase in body hair often associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Furthermore, laser therapy may also be used to treat folliculitis – a painful condition caused by blocked or inflamed hair follicles which often manifests itself among people living with PCOS and can be hard to treat with oral or topical medications alone.

Laser hair removal coverage under PCOS insurance policies can be invaluable, providing an efficient and cost-effective means of eliminating excess hair growth and relieving symptoms associated with hirsutism. Furthermore, this treatment eliminates shaving, waxing and plucking; saving both time and money while relieving irritation caused by these other methods of hair-removal.

However, it should be noted that not all insurance companies cover this procedure as most consider it cosmetic and do not consider it medically necessary. There may be exceptions though; if you suffer from conditions like folliculitis or Cushing’s Syndrome for which treatment of this kind is required then insurance may cover it.

People living with PCOS often develop folliculitis, an uncomfortable and often-painful infection of the hair follicles that leads to red bumps that resemble acne, scarring, discoloration and scarring. While antibiotics may provide temporary relief, laser hair removal provides long-term solutions and can prevent future outbreaks of this infection.

Researching and selecting a qualified laser hair removal specialist with flexible payment options is of utmost importance. While some clinics offer financing programs, others require upfront payments. When making this choice it is advisable to compare prices, geographic location, experience treating patients with folliculitis or similar conditions and their reputation among specialists before making your final decision.

Preparation

Initial consultations with laser hair removal specialists should serve as the gateway into laser hair removal treatment, providing you with a chance to discuss goals, concerns and potential treatments with them. It may also allow you to determine whether your insurance will cover the procedure; certain companies consider hirsutism a health-related condition and will reimburse costs associated with laser hair removal as treatment for it.

At this appointment, it’s important to be honest about your medical history and any issues that could affect coverage. In addition, bring a list of all medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, that you are taking at this time, including over-the-counter and prescription options. Certain drugs can interfere with laser hair removal treatment effectiveness or make skin more sensitive than usual; any antibiotics or topical products with retinol should be discontinued two weeks prior to any session.

Once you are ready to begin the process, it is crucial that you refrain from shaving or waxing the areas to be treated. Shaving removes hair shafts that make it more difficult for laser treatments to target their pigment and destroy the follicle; waxing damages skin further and may lead to infection. Furthermore, tanning makes your skin more vulnerable and may hinder results.

Once your appointment is confirmed, it is imperative to follow your technician’s orders precisely. Do not pluck or wax between sessions as this could damage hair follicles and lead to new hair growth; also refrain from cream depilatories and shave before your treatment begins; additionally it would be wise to protect yourself against sun exposure by applying broad spectrum sunscreen prior to any session.

Laser hair removal offers a permanent solution to unwanted body hair, eliminating the need for depilation or waxing and decreasing risk of folliculitis – an infection of hair follicles which causes red bumps and discoloration – as well as relieving any discomfort associated with hirsutism (an increased hair growth condition that results in ingrown hairs, acne breakouts and excessive sweating).

Results

Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment option for people living with folliculitis. Folliculitis occurs anywhere on the body due to infected or blocked follicles, and symptoms include inflammation, red bumps and itchy skin. Left untreated, this condition may lead to permanent damage of hair follicles resulting in permanent scarring or hair loss; laser treatment offers quick and painless results with immediate results usually visible after only a few sessions at four to six week intervals or require annual touch ups as needed.

Insurance companies typically view laser hair removal as a cosmetic treatment, but may approve coverage under medical necessity criteria. The best way to convince an insurer of your need for such treatments is having a doctor advocate on your behalf and provide evidence supporting why it’s necessary. For example, excessive hair growth could be a telltale sign that PCOS exists.

At home, using an IPL handset from Homiley can save both money and time on expensive salon treatments, while simultaneously helping reduce ingrown hairs that are painful and frustrating. Furthermore, its pulsed light technology stimulates collagen production to prevent future ingrowns as well as improving skin condition overall.

However, Medicare will likely not cover the cost of laser hair removal treatments; cosmetic surgery isn’t covered. You will have to cover these treatments from out-of-pocket until a qualifying health condition arises. If using HSA or FSA funds instead for laser treatments, make sure your device is FDA-approved or risk incurring penalties; additionally you should avoid using it on skin that has been damaged through injury, irritation or sunburn and always apply high SPF sunscreen before beginning treatments.

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