Patient Info

Patient Information

In addition to providing treatment subsidies, HairToStay is available to provide information to patients who are considering the use of scalp cooling, as well as some guidance and support during the treatment process.

Possible Insurance Coverage

On occasion, patients have been able to get their insurance companies to cover some of their scalp cooling treatment cost. If you can get a prescription for a “cranial prosthesis,” you may have a chance to receive some insurance coverage for your scalp cooling treatment.

As of 1/1/2022 Medicare is covering scalp cooling and paying a one-time benefit of $1850— Medicaid is sure to follow. Private insurance companies are starting to cover some scalp cooling treatment cost. The current Medicare code being used is 0662T.

We are asking applicants to apply for insurance coverage while going through the application process for our subsidy. Learn more on our APPLY FOR SUBSIDY page.

Haircare

There have been no actual clinical studies done – to our knowledge – about haircare during use of Scalp Cooling. However, the following suggestions have been handed down from patients and scalp cooling suppliers over the past few years:

  • Do not dye, perm, or peroxide your hair prior to or during use of scalp cooling, and for at least 3-6 months afterwards.
  • Do not put in hair extensions during this time.
  • Do not cut your hair prior to or during use of cold caps.
  • Wash your hair 3 days before and 3 days after each chemo treatment (not in between theses days).
  • Your shampoo should be pH neutral with no aluminum! Most Whole Foods or similar stores will have these shampoos. Add a couple of drops of vinegar to your shampoo (if not pH neutral) each time you use it.

Things to Bring with You to Your Chemotherapy Infusion

  • Neck pillow or support.
  • Light blanket if your facility doesn’t provide one
  • Lunch or snacks
  • Gauze for wrapping ears and bald spots, if necessary and/or wrapped around moleskin for forehead if you wish.
  • An assistant to help you time your caps and switch them at the appropriate time*
  • Timer or stopwatch (many cell phones have this feature).*
  • An infrared thermometer that reads Celsius*
* Only for manual cold caps

Other Suggestions

  • See a nutritionist or nutritional oncologist before starting chemo
  • Stop using deodorants containing aluminum if you haven’t already
  • Visit the website of the brand of caps you plan to use, many suppliers offer information you’ll find useful.

Here to…
answer your questions.

If you have questions about scalp cooling patient experience, please email us, at info@HairToStay.org
For all questions about the Scalp Cooling Subsidy Program please email HairToStay@pap-apps.org or
call toll free at a 800-270-1897.