Wigs & Hairpieces
Wigs and hairpieces, sometimes referred to as cranial prostheses, are covered under some health plans when hair loss results from a medical condition or treatment, such as chemotherapy or alopecia. These benefits help restore appearance and confidence during recovery.
How It Works
Coverage typically applies only when the wig or hairpiece is prescribed by a physician and purchased from an approved provider. In Canada, medical wigs are often referred to as "cranial prostheses" or "hair prostheses" in insurance terminology, and unlike cosmetic wigs they are recognized as necessary medical devices rather than cosmetic accessories. Most extended health benefit plans offered through employers include some level of coverage for medical wigs, with some plans covering a percentage of the cost and others providing a fixed amount. Some Canadian group health and welfare benefit plans list "Wigs & Hairpieces" as a covered extended health benefit alongside items such as orthotics, vision care and paramedical services. Most Canadian provincial health plans do not directly cover wigs, though Quebec's Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) may cover part of the cost of a medical wig when prescribed by a specialist.
Example:
A Canadian undergoing chemotherapy loses their hair and gets a written prescription from their oncologist for a "cranial prosthesis." They buy the wig from an approved supplier who issues a receipt titled "cranial prosthesis," then submit the prescription and receipt to their employer's extended health plan, which reimburses a percentage of the cost up to the plan's cap. If the plan does not cover it, the prescribed wig still qualifies as a Medical Expense Tax Credit item and can be reimbursed through a Health Spending Account.
What to Watch For:
To support a claim, a doctor's prescription should state "cranial prosthesis" rather than "wig," because "wig" is treated more as a fashion accessory than a medical need, and the supplier should provide a detailed receipt titled "cranial prosthesis." Wigs are an eligible medical expense under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) when prescribed by a medical practitioner for hair loss caused by a disease or medical treatment, and a wig purchased purely for cosmetic or fashion purposes does not qualify. Because qualifying medical wigs are METC eligible, the cost can be reimbursed through a Health Spending Account (HSA).
