Hair transplant - medically necessary procedure?

Question

I know this friend of mine. He is physically disabled, history of depression n suicide He looks at himself in the mirror n he sees a boy, he doesn't feel like a man, etc for quite a while now . He has made his mine set on getting a beard transplant. So my question is, due to to his history and diagnosis of depression, will neighborhood health plan consider this procedure as medical necessary surgery/procedure? Or is it still considered cosmetic and thereby won't be covered ?

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

And thus, won't be covered by insurance.  Any underlying depression must be treated by a psychologist or psychiatrist, not a plastic surgeon.  While I do agree hair loss is traumatizing and can make one feel depressed, anxious, and unnatractive, insurance companies simply don't care.  It's a sad truth that we all must deal with as patients and providers.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Hair transplant or beard transplant is not a medical necessity and insurance will not cover the surgery.  Despite what your friend may think, hair transplant does not solve psychiatric issues.

Ryan Welter, MD · Answer

As far as I know beard transplants are only considered cosmetic.  However, the best first step to getting anything covered is calling your insurance company and asking for the procedure.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

hair loss can be devastating for siem people and may cause a lot of psychological distress, however it is not considered medical necessity and it is considered a cosmetic procedure.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

a Beard transplant is not a solution for depression. Many young men want to accelerate their beard growth and ask
about it. It takes age (genetic triggers which occur in family lines) so
if you want to find out when your beard will grow out, you need to find out
when your father or grandfather started to grow theirbeard. Hormones should have kicked in
nicely by the time a man reaches 18 but he must wait out his genetics
as hormone alone are not responsible for the onset of beard grown. Beard
transplants can be done when the young man is a bit older (over 25) if the
beard has not grown in yet

Hair transplant - medically necessary procedure?

Answers (5)