A bill 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.

Senate Bill

S. 3872

119th Congress

A bill 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.

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 12, 2026

Primary Sponsor

Sponsor information unavailable

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Summary

This bill would allow Medicare to cover wigs as durable medical equipment. Currently, Medicare does not pay for wigs, but this change would make them an eligible expense under the program for people who need them for medical reasons.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Introduced2/12/2026

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

ChamberSenate

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Vote Prediction

A bill 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.

This bill would allow Medicare to cover wigs as durable medical equipment. Currently, Medicare does not pay for wigs, but this change would make them an eligible expense under the program for people who need them for medical reasons.

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill would allow Medicare to cover wigs as durable medical equipment. Currently, Medicare does not pay for wigs, but this change would make them an eligible expense under the program for people who need them for medical reasons.

Bill Number: 3872
Introduced: 2/12/2026
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: A bill 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.
Bill Number: 3872
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Introduced: 2/12/2026
Summary: This bill would allow Medicare to cover wigs as durable medical equipment. Currently, Medicare does not pay for wigs, but this change would make them an eligible expense under the program for people who need them for medical reasons.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would allow Medicare to cover wigs as durable medical equipment. Currently, Medicare does not pay for wigs, but this change would make them an eligible expense under the program for people who need them for medical reasons.

Last updated: 2/25/2026

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

The bill would amend Medicare rules to classify wigs as durable medical equipment that can be covered by the program.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program primarily for people age 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities.
Durable medical equipment includes items like wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds that are medically necessary and can be used repeatedly.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would affect Medicare beneficiaries who experience hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer. If passed, these individuals could have the cost of medically necessary wigs covered by Medicare rather than paying out of pocket. The change would expand what Medicare considers reimbursable medical equipment.

Policy Areas

No policy areas assigned yet.

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3872, 119th Congress (2026). "A bill 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.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-s-3872

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