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Bill Summary · HB 504

Legislative bill overview

HB 504 would require health benefit plans in Texas to cover hair prostheses (wigs) for patients who have experienced hair loss due to cancer treatment. The bill mandates insurance coverage for this medical necessity without specifying limitations on frequency, cost, or type of prosthesis.

Why is this important

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation often experience significant hair loss, which can have substantial psychological and emotional impacts on quality of life and treatment adherence. Currently, most health plans do not cover prosthetics for aesthetic purposes, leaving patients to bear these costs out-of-pocket during an already financially and physically taxing period of treatment.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and insurance premium impact: Insurers may argue that mandatory coverage will increase premiums for all policyholders, and there's no specified cap on prosthesis cost or frequency of replacement
  • Definition and scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't clearly define what qualifies as a medical necessity versus cosmetic product, or whether it covers all types of hair prostheses or only specific medical-grade options
  • Coverage parameters undefined: The legislation lacks details on coverage limits (one per treatment cycle? annually?), price caps, or which providers/manufacturers are eligible, creating potential implementation challenges

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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