Will Insurance Cover Laser Hair Removal for Chronic Folliculitis?

Question

I'm a 21-year-old male, on antibiotics every 2-3 weeks for the infections that get very bad and painful without treatment. I also have extreme body hair that has prevented swimming or other activities in public since middleschool. Will insurance (BCBS Georgia) cover the treatment for any reason? If not, is it still a viable treatment and good route to go, and how do I go about it?

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, we have not encountered a situation, even one as severe as yours, where patients are able to get coverage for laser hair removal. But, the fact that you are on antibiotics for the injections indicates that there is at least a good argument that this would be a better long-term alternative for the insurance company.

	Perhaps with a little bit of persuasion (pictures, letter from primary care physician, etc.) you may be able to convince your insurance company that it is in their best interest. I think your best choice is to try to put together the $$ to have the procedure and then appeal to your insurance company to cover it.

	Further, all skin types are good candidates for laser hair removal provided that the correct technology is used. If you are medium or dark skinned with very coarse hair, the long pulsed Nd:Yg laser is going to be best for you (commonly referred to as "yag") and you can see the pictures on our site of African Americans with ingrown beard hair that has been removed.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Hyperpigmentation and recurrent folliculitis may be related to hidradenitis. Our center focuses on longterm laser and topical solutions for recurrent folliculitis and PIH. Start with Melapads daily. Laser hair removal is key. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianRealself100 Surgeon

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

The best candidates for laser or IPL permanent hair removal have relatively light skin, with fast-growing, dark coarse hair. I have not had good success treating patients with dark-skin.

	I have treated neck and facial hair with my Palomar StarLux IPL, and have seen prompt resolution of razor bumps and chronic folliculitis.

	Another treatment for razor bumps is to use a depilatory cream (Magic Shave), instead of a blade. This is inexpensive and suitable for all skin types.

	I'm not sure if your insurance would cover the cost of laser hair removal. I certainly believe they should, since there are no other good treatments for pseudofolliculitis barbae. Ask your doctor to write you a brief "letter of medical necessity" and to provide a quote for services. Then call your BCBS customer relations department with passion.

	I hope this is helpful for you.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

laser hair removal is often done for chronic ingrown hairs of the beard, especially if keloids have started to form. It is doubtful that the insurance company will reimburse for the treatment, and even if they do, the amount they reimburse to the doctor could be so low that it wouldn't cover the cost to the doctor of the services rendered. Some insurance arrangements, especially managed care plans, wouldn't allow the doctor to balance bill you so either they accept the very low payment or they don't do the treatment. It is an excellent treatment for some, not all. See a doctor who does a lot of this treatment, on skin of your color, and ask if they could find out from your insurance company, with your history if it would be covered. Good luck.

Benjamin Van Raalte, MD · Answer

There are several reasons why laser hair removal is not covered by insurance. The first is 99% of the hair removal is cosmetic. I know everyone feels their problem is the worst, but braces and large noses are not covered either.Second, there is no CPT code, or billing code for the procedure. That means that unscrupulous companies can state they will cover the procedure and mail a check for $20 and expect the doctor to accept that in full. The companies can make up the price since there is no code and no reasonable and customary charge (which in itself is another debate)  and thus it is cheaper for them to say we will cover it, and mail a low amount, than spend the time contesting it. Physicians learned the hard way after trying to help patients they were being ripped off. Since the laser hair removal market is NOT like the overcharged drug company market or outrageous hospital bills, and the market has multiple NON doctor laser hair clinics competing, the market price is very fair and not excessive.Some of the "insurance" type cases take two staff members an hour of time, on a $150,000 laser, that requires an annual $7000 service contract, and office overhead that is another $100 an hour and somehow a $20 or $40 payment is supposed to be reasonable. Thus it costs at least $200 to provide the service and a $40 payment is not going to cover that, and thus no one can do laser hair under insurance knowingly.

Will Insurance Cover Laser Hair Removal for Chronic Folliculitis?

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