February 12, 2026
Mr. Blumenthal introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Providing coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program
(a) In general
Section 1861(n) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(n)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: Such term includes cranial prostheses furnished to an individual, but only where the dermatologist, oncologist, or attending physician of the individual certifies in writing the medical necessity of such prostheses as part of a proposed course of rehabilitative treatment or for hair loss caused by a health condition, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, or chemotherapy.
.
(b) Conforming amendment
Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (O), by striking and
at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (P), by striking the semicolon and inserting , and
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(Q)
in the case of cranial prostheses (as described in section 1861(n)), which are not certified in the manner described in such section;