Hair transplants are one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery, with more than 703,000 surgeries estimated to take place worldwide each year [1]. In almost all of these cases, patients are required to pay for their hair transplant privately.
That’s because insurance rarely covers a hair transplant. Hair transplants are generally viewed as cosmetic non-essential procedures, which excludes them from most health and medical insurance policies. In addition, hair transplants aren’t normally available on the NHS and other free national health programmes.
So are there any instances where insurance will cover a hair transplant? And what alternative payment options are there? Here, we’ll explore:
You’ll need to check your individual policy to be sure, but most insurance plans don’t cover hair transplants. That’s because hair transplants are often seen as a purely cosmetic procedure, and therefore not medically necessary.
That said, there are some instances where you might qualify for a hair transplant under your medical insurance policy.
Your health insurance might cover a hair transplant if it forms part of reconstructive surgery after major trauma or a severe burn. It may also be covered if you’ve had brain surgery resulting in hair loss and scar tissue on your scalp.
If this applies to you, it’s best to check your insurance policy documents to see if a hair transplant into scar tissue is covered. As with all types of insurance, you can’t claim against a policy you’ve taken out after an accident or incident.
No, your health insurance won’t normally cover any surgical procedures to treat hair loss related to cancer treatment, even if they cover the cancer treatment itself.
This is because a hair transplant isn’t normally a suitable solution for treating chemotherapy-related hair loss. In almost all cases, your hair will grow back when you finish chemotherapy [2]. Hair transplants are only effective when the hair follicles are no longer able to produce hair.
Wigs for cancer patients tend to be more affordable and appropriate during and after chemotherapy, while you’re waiting for your hair to grow back.
More and more insurance providers are starting to include gender-affirming surgery for transgender people in their plans. This is more common with corporate health insurance offered through your employer.
Some insurers are now starting to cover hair transplants to support those who are transgender. For example, Aviva now offers an “enhanced cover option” to corporate customers, which they describe as:
“Extending cover to include surgical interventions and support not readily available from the NHS such as surgeries to masculinise or feminise the face and hair transplantation.” [3]
If you want a transgender hair transplant to feminise your hairline as part of gender-affirming surgery, and your workplace offers health insurance, check your policy to see if this is covered.
If your health insurance will cover the costs of your hair transplant, they may need you to provide evidence or documents to substantiate your claim. They may also set out certain other conditions you need to follow. This can include:
You can check the conditions for your hair transplant coverage in your policy documents.
If your insurance won’t cover your hair transplant procedure, here’s how you can make a hair transplant more affordable.
Some hair transplant providers will allow you to spread the cost of your hair transplant over several months, so you don’t need to pay a large sum upfront.
At the Wimpole Clinic, we offer hair transplants on finance to make safe, successful procedures more accessible for everyone. To be eligible, you’ll need to pass a soft credit check and meet certain other conditions.
Our patient advisors are always happy to discuss financing options with you during your initial hair transplant consultation.
A hair transplant isn’t always the first port of call for hair restoration, especially if you’re in the early stages of hair loss. In these instances, cheaper non-surgical hair loss treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride can give you excellent results without the need for an FUE or FUT procedure.
Discover the impact of hair loss medications in these Minoxidil before and after images and Finasteride results.
Some people turn to hair transplant clinics abroad for cheaper rates. And while there are some good clinics overseas, it’s usually much safer to stay in the UK. That’s not only because safety rules and regulations are stricter. You’ll also have fast, easy access to any aftercare services you might need.
If your hair transplant is compromised by a cut-rate clinic, you may end up paying even more for hair transplant repair surgery. See the red flags to look for in Turkish hair clinics to avoid a bad hair transplant experience.
If you do decide to travel abroad for a hair transplant, consider taking out travel insurance that will cover the following:
Bear in mind that most insurers won’t cover you to get a second hair transplant if you need repair surgery. So don’t think of this as a back up plan in case your overseas hair transplant goes wrong. Instead, find a highly reputable clinic that will create the best possible results the first time round.
The Wimpole Clinic is one the UK’s foremost hair transplant clinics. With more than 50 years in business and locations across the UK, we can help you understand your hair transplant pricing and payment options.
Insurance doesn’t cover most of our patients’ hair transplant procedures. But we offer affordable finance options to make hair transplants more accessible, ensuring all our patients look and feel their best.
Our hair transplant prices start at £2,999. The ultimate cost depends on how many hair grafts you need. To find out, book a consultation with our patient advisors. They’ll assess your hair loss and discuss a graft quote, as well as answering any questions you have about the procedure and payment options.
According to our research, the average cost for a 1500-graft hair transplant in the UK is £4,820. Cost varies depending on how many grafts you need, your chosen clinic, clinic location, and certain other factors.
Not usually. Most insurance companies consider hair loss treatments to be purely cosmetic, therefore they don’t cover them. There may be some exceptions; check your policy or consult with your insurance provider to learn more.
It’s unlikely that insurance will cover the costs of Minoxidil for hair loss, as this is considered a cosmetic treatment.
Hair transplants in Turkey are often cheaper than those in the UK and other countries in western Europe. But safety regulations in Turkey are much less strict, and there is generally a higher risk of complications as a result. Learn more about why people go to Turkey for a hair transplant.
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