Having lice can be quite unsettling. Not just for parents, but for kids as well. And the treatments to get rid of those little buggers can be a pain in the rear. And not cheap either.
So a common question a lot of people have is, ‘Is Lice Treatment Covered By Health Insurance?” In this article, we will tell you whether health insurance policies typically cover the treatment of lice or not.
Is Lice Treatment Covered By Health Insurance?
The short answer is yes, many (but not all) health insurance companies provide coverage for treatment for lice infestation. Among those health insurance plans that provide coverage for treatment for lice infestation is Medicaid.
Medicaid and Medicare
Medicaid is a joint Federal-State program that provides coverage for medical expenses for individuals and families with low incomes and assets. The program provides coverage for outpatient prescription drugs.
This includes treatment for lice infestation. Medicaid also has an optional benefit known as pharmacy coverage.
The Federal government has recognized that treatment for lice infestation can be quite expensive. And that is the reason why Medicaid provides coverage for treatment for lice infestation.
On the other hand, Medicare does not provide coverage or reimbursement for treatment for lice infestation. Medicare will only cover treatments, services, etc. that it considers to be medically necessary. And they do not consider lice treatment to fall into that category.
Private Health Insurance Coverage For Lice
Many health insurance companies provide reimbursement for treatment for lice infestation. Health insurance companies that provide reimbursement for treatment for lice infestation reimburse it through flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.
If the patient needs emergency medical treatment for lice, it may be covered by health insurance as medical coverage. If your health insurance provides coverage or reimbursement for treatment for lice infestation, make sure to take a look at your out-of-pocket expenses.
But not all health insurance companies provide coverage for treatment for lice infestation. So for you to learn whether your health insurance provides coverage for treatment for lice infestation, it is best to check your health insurance plan’s scope of coverage.
Treatment Options For Lice Infestation
There are a few ways to treat the lice in a person’s head. One of the most common ways to treat a lice infestation is through medications.
The medications for lice infestation may either be over-the-counter medications or they can also be prescription medications. Some of the over-the-counter medications for the treatment of lice infestations are:
- Piperonyl butoxide with pyrethrins
- Permethrin lotion,1%
- Dimethicone
As far as prescription medications for treatment of lice infestations, here are the most common:
- Benzyl alcohol
- Ivermectin
- Malathion
- Spinosad
Some people try to use holistic treatments to get rid of lice. For example, there are some essential oils that some people think are a great treatment for lice. Tea tree or anise essential oils are the common ones here. However, health insurance will not cover these treatments.
So, bottom line here, is you can often cover lice treatments using your FSA or HSA. And if you have Medicaid you’re probably in good shape. However, coverage of lice treatments differs from insurance policy to insurance policy so you’ll want to check with your provider to see what your policy covers.
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