Hair Transplantation
DESCRIPTION
Hair transplantation involves harvesting small hair-bearing skin grafts from non-balding portions of the scalp and transferring them to the areas of baldness. Hair transplant candidates must have a donor site on the back or side of the head with healthy hair growing. Hair color, texture, and degree of curliness may affect the transplant result.
There are several hair transplant techniques available to achieve the desired appearance. Modest improvements in hair fullness are achieved with punch grafts, micro- or mini-grafts, slit grafts, and strip grafts. Greater hair coverage is achieved with pedicled and microvascular flaps, tissue expansion and scalp-reduction. These methods are associated with more risks. Hair transplantation is considered a cosmetic procedure and is performed to enhance appearance.
POLICY
Hair transplantation is considered cosmetic.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Any specific products referenced in this policy are just examples and are intended for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be a recommendation of one product over another and is not intended to represent a complete listing of all products available. These examples are contained in the parenthetical e.g. statement.
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits, or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the Medical Policy and a health plan or government program (e.g., TennCare), the express terms of the health plan or government program will govern.
SOURCES
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2023). Hair transplant. Retrieved November 28, 2023 from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/.
CMS.gov: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. (2023, August). Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery (LCD L39051). Retrieved November 29, 2023 from www.cms.gov.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/1983
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 1/11/2024
ID_BT
Policies included in the Medical Policy Manual are not intended to certify coverage availability. They are medical determinations about a particular technology, service, drug, etc. While a policy or technology may be medically necessary, it could be excluded in a member's benefit plan. Please check with the appropriate claims department to determine if the service in question is a covered service under a particular benefit plan. Use of the Medical Policy Manual is not intended to replace independent medical judgment for treatment of individuals. The content on this Web site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice in any way. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
This document has been classified as public information.