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.

Coverage typically applies only when the wig or hairpiece is prescribed by a physician and purchased from an approved provider. Insurers usually set annual or lifetime caps, such as $300 every three years or $500 lifetime.

Example:

If your plan provides up to $400 for a medically required wig and your purchase costs $550, you will receive $400 in reimbursement and pay $150 out of pocket.

What to Watch For:

Cosmetic wigs for non-medical reasons are not covered. Ensure the supplier provides a detailed receipt indicating “cranial prosthesis” for insurance purposes.

Related Terms

Claimant

A claimant is the person who submits a request for reimbursement or payment under an insurance policy. In health and dental insurance, the claimant is usually the insured individual who received the service, such as a medical treatment, prescription, or dental procedure. However, a claimant can also be a parent, spouse, or legal guardian submitting a claim on behalf of a covered dependent.

Coverage / Benefit

Coverage, sometimes referred to as a benefit, is the range of health or dental services, supplies, or treatments that your insurance plan agrees to pay for under its terms and conditions. Each benefit represents a category of care, such as prescription drugs, dental services, vision care, or paramedical treatments.

Extended Health Care Insurance

Extended health care insurance (EHC) is supplemental coverage that helps pay for medical expenses not covered by your provincial or territorial health plan. It protects you from out-of-pocket costs associated with services such as prescription drugs, vision care, medical equipment, hospital upgrades, emergency travel medical care, and paramedical services like physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is a type of coverage that helps pay for medical and healthcare expenses not fully covered by Canada’s public health system. It protects individuals and families from the high cost of prescription drugs, medical services, and treatments that fall outside provincial or territorial government health plans. Health insurance can be obtained through an employer’s group benefits plan or purchased individually from a private insurer.

Laser Eye Surgery Allowance

A laser eye surgery allowance is a vision care benefit included in some health insurance plans that provides reimbursement toward the cost of corrective laser procedures such as LASIK or PRK. These procedures permanently reshape the cornea to improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Because laser eye surgery is considered elective and not medically necessary, it is not covered by provincial health insurance plans, making this allowance a valuable feature in private coverage.

Have questions about your insurance coverage?

Our licensed advisors can help you understand your options and find the right plan for your needs.