Reimbursement of your wig through your health insurance fund: what you need to know

A human hair wig is an investment — but did you know that in many cases you get part of the cost back through your health insurance fund? Both the RIZIV (INAMI) and your health insurance fund can contribute when you lose your hair due to illness or treatment. Below we set out when you are eligible, how much you can get back and how to apply.

When are you eligible?

You are entitled to a statutory contribution from the RIZIV (INAMI) if you meet at least one of these conditions:

• complete baldness due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy;
• baldness of more than 30% due to the skin condition alopecia areata;
• baldness of more than 30% due to scarring hair loss (cicatricial alopecia) of physical, chemical, traumatic or inflammatory origin;
• permanent baldness due to scarring after radiotherapy.

Good to know: ordinary hair loss in women or men (androgenetic alopecia) is generally not covered by this statutory scheme. Not sure whether your situation qualifies? Your treating doctor or dermatologist is best placed to assess that. Any other questions? Take a look at our frequently asked questions.

How much is the reimbursement?

The statutory contribution from the RIZIV (INAMI) is:

• 180 euros for temporary baldness due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or for alopecia areata / scarring of physical, chemical, traumatic or inflammatory origin;
• 270 euros for permanent baldness due to scarring after radiotherapy;
• 120 euros for up to 3 head accessories (caps, scarves, hats) — also reimbursable by law since 1 July 2024.

Please note: per 2-year period you can choose either a contribution for a wig or for accessories — never both combined. A new contribution is only possible 2 years after the date of your first invoice (with a new chemotherapy treatment causing renewed complete baldness, this can be sooner).

Extra reimbursement through your supplementary insurance

On top of the statutory RIZIV contribution, many health insurance funds offer an extra reimbursement through their supplementary insurance — for example the Liberale Mutualiteit, which adds 50 euros as standard once you have received the RIZIV contribution. Exact amounts and conditions differ per fund (CM, Helan, Solidaris, Liberale Mutualiteit, NZVL…), so it pays to check with your fund what exactly they offer.

Extra contribution through your hospitalisation insurance

Do you have hospitalisation insurance? On top of the statutory contribution, it can often reimburse a substantial part of the remaining cost of your wig — with some insurers even the full remainder. How much exactly depends on your policy, so it is well worth checking with your insurer what is possible for you.

How do you apply for the reimbursement?

1. Ask for a medical certificate from your treating doctor or dermatologist, depending on the cause of your hair loss.
2. Buy your wig from a recognised business — we always provide a correct invoice (and on request a “proof of payment”) that meets your health insurance fund's requirements.
3. Submit your file to your health insurance fund: the doctor's certificate together with the invoice.
4. Your health insurance fund assesses the application and pays the contribution directly to you.

Our view: this reimbursement urgently needs an update

That 180 euros no longer reflects what a wig costs today. A custom-made wig of 100% natural hair costs many times that amount. And that natural result matters: a wig that makes you look like yourself again can support your well-being and self-confidence during treatment. We believe the reimbursement urgently needs to be reviewed, and call for more political attention to raise the amount to a level that reflects today's reality.

Good to know

Conditions and amounts may change and are ultimately assessed by your own health insurance fund — so always check the latest information with your fund or on the RIZIV (INAMI) website for your exact situation.

At Fanny's Wigs in Antwerp we are happy to help you with the right invoice and documents for your health insurance fund, so you get what you are entitled to without any hassle. Book an appointment and we will look together at what is possible for you. Curious about the options? View our range of wigs and hairpieces.