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Insurance Carriers
We are currently in-network with Kaiser Permanente. For other insurance carriers, we are
considered out-of-network. For plans where we are not in-network, many clients are able to
receive partial reimbursement by submitting claims after payment. Additionally, because there
are no in-network electrolysis providers in this area for most insurance carriers, clients may be
able to receive in-network reimbursement rates by submitting a network gap exception.
We are currently working on becoming an enrolled provider with Washington Apple Health
(Medicaid) and hope to be able to accept Apple Health members in the near future. If you would
like to be notified when we are able to accept Apple Health, please email
Dylan.ElectrolysisNW@gmail.com and include your name and preferred contact information.
Insurance Coverage for Electrolysis
Electrolysis is often covered by insurance when it is considered medically necessary. Coverage
is possible in many cases, but it can require persistence, documentation, and clear
communication with your insurance provider.
Insurance companies generally divide services into two categories: cosmetic (not covered), and
medically necessary (may be covered).
Electrolysis is more likely to be covered when it is part of:
● Gender-affirming care, including treatment of gender dysphoria
● Pre-surgical preparation for procedures such as vaginoplasty or phalloplasty
● Treatment of a documented medical issue, such as chronic irritation, ingrown hairs, or
conditions like PCOS
In practice, this means that how your care is documented can significantly affect whether it is
approved.
While every plan is different, pre-surgical electrolysis is most consistently approved. Facial
electrolysis is often approved with proper documentation. Electrolysis on other areas of the
body, such as the torso, is more variable and often denied as cosmetic.
Where to start
Start by contacting your insurance carrier and asking about your plan’s coverage for medically
necessary electrolysis. If you are seeking coverage as part of your gender-affirming care, make
sure you mention that, as gender-affirming care benefits often have their own separate
guidelines. Request detailed guidelines in writing, including what documentation—like letters of
medical necessity—they require to approve claims. Specific requirements, and how documents
are submitted, vary between different carriers, so it’s important to find out exactly what your
insurance carrier requires.

Depending on your plan, you may need:
● A diagnosis (such as gender dysphoria, if applicable)
● A letter from a medical and/or mental health provider
● A referral or treatment plan
● A letter from a surgeon (for pre-surgical electrolysis)
Any issues? Request a case manager
Even when electrolysis is explicitly covered by your insurance plan, it can sometimes be difficult
to find clear information about how to access your benefits. It is not uncommon for customer
service representatives to be unfamiliar with these specific benefits, so calling your insurance
carrier’s general help line may not provide answers, or you may even be given incorrect
information. If you receive a blanket statement that electrolysis is never covered under your
plan, this is unlikely to be accurate in Washington state, especially if you are seeking
electrolysis for pre-surgical preparation.
If you are having any difficulty finding information about your electrolysis coverage, we highly
recommend that you ask your insurance carrier to assign you a case manager. A case manager
can serve as a consistent point of contact and is ideally more familiar with your specific situation
and the steps needed to access hair removal benefits. Most major insurance carriers now offer
case management programs specifically for members who are receiving gender-affirming care.
The name of this program varies, but try asking for a “transgender personal navigator” or
“gender-affirming care case manager.” Working with this type of case manager makes it much
easier to get clear answers and guidance about your benefits and how to access them.
A note on persistence
Many clients encounter confusion or initial denials when trying to access coverage for
electrolysis. This is not uncommon and it does not necessarily mean coverage is impossible.
If this happens, it may help to:
● Request clarification in writing
● Ask for a case manager if you do not already have one
● Appeal the decision or request a review
We’re here to help. While we cannot guarantee insurance coverage, we are happy to share
what we’ve seen work for other clients and provide documentation or receipts needed for
reimbursement. If you have questions about your situation, feel free to reach out.
Contact Us

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If you have questions about navigating insurance coverage for electrolysis, email Dylan, our
care coordinator, at Dylan.ElectrolysisNW@gmail.com.

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