Tips for Newly Diagnosed Chemo Patients
Will insurance cover the cost of cancer patient wigs?
Many people could benefit with extra financial assistance when they purchase a wig for medical reasons. If you have health insurance, your provider may reimburse you for a portion or the total cost of your "Cranial Prosthesis" (the term when a wig is needed for medical hair loss.) Follow the 5 steps below for possible "cranial prosthesis" reimbursement.
5 Steps to Possible Wig Reimbursement from Your Insurance Company
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Consult your insurance company’s benefits department to find out about reimbursements for a “cranial prosthesis.” (Do not use the word “wig” as your benefits allowance will drop.)
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Obtain a prescription from your doctor for a “cranial prosthesis.” Be sure your diagnosis code is written on this Rx. Make a copy for your records.
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When purchasing your wig(s), ask us for a separate Medical Sales Receipt (which includes our Tax ID #) confirming the purchase of your “cranial prosthesis.” When ordering online, in the comments section, write “Please include Medical Sales Receipt.” Make a copy for your records.
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Send #2 and #3 (above) to your insurance company, following any guidelines they may have.
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If entitled, your insurance company may reimburse you directly for the full amount, a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your purchased wig(s).
Note: Typically, HMOs do not reimburse for a cranial prosthesis. However, you can take a tax deduction on your annual tax return.
*If your insurance company denies your claim, we suggest that you send them a picture of yourself without hair and hand write a letter stating your need for a cranial prosthesis. Detail your emotional upset without hair and the benefits your cranial prosthesis provides, such as self confidence, which promotes your internal healing.
Beginning Your Chemotherapy Journey
If you've just been diagnosed with cancer and will begin your chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment soon, typically hair loss will begin 10 days to 2 weeks after your first treatment.
The best thing to do is begin choosing what you'll need for hair loss before your first treatment. Spend some time watching our Godiva's Secret Wigs videos on Youtube.com and review the wigs on this site - take notes on the styles and colors you'd like so you'll be ready to order when the time comes. Give your order about 7-10 days to arrive.
Once you see how natural your new wig looks on you and how easy it is to wear, you can stop worrying about your hair and use your energy on healing and moving forward. Remember, we're "hair" to help YOU!
We suggest you consider these items as part of your "wig wardrobe." These items will provide you with choices during your time without hair. Remember, hair loss is normally temporary, so make use of and enjoy the wigs, hats and turbans during this time. A great wig will ease you through cancer and hair loss with confidence and grace...
Click on each item below to learn more about it.
Over the years, we have worked personally with thousands of hair loss clients at our store in California. On our website, we are offering you what we believe to be the best and most necessary items for your self-confidence and success during this time. If you have more questions, please phone us!
We have live wig experts ready to take your calls Monday-Friday 9am-5pm PST!
Toll Free in U.S. and Canada: (877) 567-9447
Local or Int'l: (818) 591-0808
Radiation & Chemotherapy Information
Radiation therapy can cause hair loss (the medical word for this is alopecia). But the hair is only lost in the area being treated. For instance, if you get treatment to your hip, you will not lose the hair on your head. But radiation to your head may cause you to lose some or all of the hair on your head, even eyebrows and lashes. Generally, you will start to see the effects of the radiation within two weeks of your first treatment and can expect the loss to get progressively quicker over time.
Not all chemo drugs will make you lose your hair. Some people have mild thinning that only they notice. Your doctor will be able to tell you if your chemo is likely to make you lose your hair. You can lose hair on all parts of your body, not just your scalp. Eyelashes and eyebrows, arm and leg hair, underarm hair, and pubic hair all may be affected. It usually doesn’t happen right away. More often, hair loss begins after a few treatments. At that point, your hair may fall out slowly or in clumps. Any hair that remains may become dull and dry.
Once you start losing your hair, we suggest that you cut it very short or even shave it off completely. Mentally, this allows you to take control of the situation and makes the hair loss process much easier. Since you should already have your wig by this time, you will have something to put on as soon as you trim your hair off. You should continue to care for your scalp with a mild shampoo and conditioner to help circulation and prevent the skin from drying. If your scalp is sensitive, you can apply a facial moisturizer to ease the irritation, however, regular body lotion is too oily for use on the scalp.
Most patients find that their hair grows back after the treatments are finished, although it may be thicker, thinner, a different texture or even a different color than it was before. Most doctors recommend that patients don’t use hair dyes until their hair returns to normal; this may be as long as 6 months after treatment. Many women choose to continue wearing their wigs while their hair is coming back in and even once their hair has grown back because of the simplicity and freedom it allowed them!
Chemotherapy Wigs & Wigs for Hair Loss
FAQs
How to prepare for cancer hair loss
Hair Loss is one of the many effects that intensive chemotherapy has on the human body, and there is nothing about this that should make a cancer patient feel less beautiful. Hair loss from chemotherapy is a natural part of the cancer treatment process, which will ultimately make you feel better and get you back on track. In some cases the hair loss is not that serious or evident, and it can only be seen by the individual, but the effects of chemotherapy vary person to person. It can be a difficult experience for some, and it can takes a bit of time to ease into daily routine without hair, which is why the use of a cancer wig is extremely beneficial.
Choosing a beautiful wig for hair loss is an important step for many cancer patients. In order to adequately prepare yourself for cancer wigs, try cutting your hair before you begin your intensive chemotherapy. This will help you prepare for the stages of hair loss and it will be a much easier experience. Consult with hairdressers and our wig experts to see if they have any advice for a wig style that will perfectly suit you. Essentially, it helps to adequately prepare yourself before you embark on this journey after chemotherapy, and we are here to help you feel beautiful while you do it. Wearing cancer patient wigs shouldn't make you feel self conscious, instead it should empower you and make you feel more beautiful and confident.
How do I know which wig is best for me?
Choosing a wig isn't just like choosing another fashion accessory, if anything it is a much more important process, especially when you are choosing wigs for cancer patients. The type of wig you wear speaks volumes, and we want to make sure that it is sending the right message. The process of choosing the right cancer patient wig is an extremely intricate one. It is best to find a wig that closely resembles your natural hair color so that the transformation is not too jarring, and this will help you settle into being comfortable with your new hair.
If you choose to wear one, a wig can be a natural part of the healing process for Cancer patients. Just make sure that whatever decision you make is the best one for you, and that you are not paying attention to people's opinions about how you look. Whatever your decision is, just know that you will always be beautiful.
How do I select the right size cancer wig?
Most of the average wigs for cancer patients might fit just about anyone, however there are some that might work better or fit more snug. In order to determine the right wig size for hair loss, you simply have to take one measurement and you will be good to go. In order to determine the right size wig you should measure around your head. Place the end of your measuring device at the center of your forehead, right at your hairline. Then take the measuring tape from your scalp down to the base of your neck, running behind your ears, and back to your forehead. With this number you be able find the wig size that is right for you. You can then compare these numbers with our wig sizes in order to determine which size you should get.
Choosing the right wig is a personal journey and we want to make sure that you are completely happy and satisfied with your wig or hairpiece . We want you to feel confident wearing her and we want you to continue to exude confidence and beauty as you go about your day to day activities. Choosing the right cancer wig will definitely boost your confidence. For additional tips, check out our video: How to Build Your Confidence as a New Wig Wearer.
How much are cancer patient wigs?
The price of wigs for cancer patients depends on the style of the wig and the quality of the hair. Our wigs for cancer patients are made from the highest quality of synthetic fiber. Generally, a Godiva's Secret wig for cancer patients ranges from $159 to $449, depending on the kind of wig you choose. We do not offer human hair wigs because of their outlandish prices and the fact that they are hard to maintain over time.
Do you have any additional products that can be used with wigs for cancer patients?
We do! We have a variety of chemo products for cancer patients that can be used in conjunction with cancer patient wigs to ensure that you have a complete and wonderful experience wearing your wig. These products range from washing products, to bangs on a headband, to brushes for your wig, to wig grip band (which our cancer patient clients all say is a lifesaver), and everything in between. Whatever your hair and wig need is, we are "hair" to help you!
