To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.
Sponsored By: Representative McGovern
Introduced
Summary
Expands Medicare coverage to include cranial prostheses (including wigs) as durable medical equipment when a clinician provides written certification of medical necessity. It would require that certification come from a dermatologist, oncologist, or the attending physician and link to rehabilitative treatment or hair loss from cancer, chemotherapy, or autoimmune disease.
Show full summary
- Medicare beneficiaries with hair loss from cancer, chemotherapy, or autoimmune conditions could have cranial prostheses covered when a qualifying clinician certifies medical necessity.
- Dermatologists, oncologists, and attending physicians would provide the written certification that triggers coverage.
- The bill adds a new statutory subparagraph to allow cranial prostheses not certified under that method to be considered under a separate coverage pathway, broadening routes to coverage.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Medicare coverage for medical wigs
If enacted, Medicare would cover cranial prostheses (wigs) for some beneficiaries. You would need to have hair loss from a health condition such as autoimmune disease, cancer, or chemotherapy. A dermatologist, oncologist, or your attending physician would have to provide written certification that the prosthesis is medically necessary as part of a proposed course of rehabilitative treatment. The bill would also add a parallel coverage pathway for cranial prostheses that are not certified under that written method.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McGovern
MA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov