How can the financial burden of cancer treatment be reduced?
Hello. I'm Mayumi from BAREN.
There are various cancer treatments, among which anticancer drug therapy is the most commonly used. Anticancer drugs are effective against many types of cancer, but they often require high treatment costs, which can be a major problem for patients and their families.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, the first thing I was concerned about was future treatment and how much it would cost.
In addition, because hair loss is an almost unavoidable side effect of anti-cancer drugs, patients will need medical wigs and caps to maintain their daily lives. Most patients will be encouraged to purchase these by their doctor when they are given an explanation of anti-cancer drug treatment.
The prices of medical wigs and care caps vary depending on the product, ranging from inexpensive to expensive, but full wigs and custom-made products can cost hundreds of thousands of yen.
Treatment is already a huge financial burden, so you want to keep expenses other than treatment costs to a minimum, but are medical wigs eligible for medical expense deductions?
I have undergone cancer treatment and have compiled what I have learned, so I hope it will be helpful to you.
Medical wigs are not eligible for medical expense deductions.
Medical wigs and medical care caps are essential for maintaining the quality of life (QOL) of people who have lost hair due to side effects of anti-cancer drugs and other medications, but currently they are not eligible for medical expense deductions or public insurance coverage.
This is because it has been determined that "wearing a medical wig is not directly related to cancer treatment, and therefore it is difficult to cover medical expenses as a medical device."
Reference: Response to a question submitted by Senator Kanae Yamamoto regarding medical wigs
Will private insurance cover the purchase of a medical wig?
So what about private insurance products?
As mentioned above, medical wigs are considered to be "not directly related to medical procedures," but public opinion is gradually spreading that they are "essential for patients undergoing treatment," so it seems that the number of private insurance plans that subsidize the cost of purchasing medical wigs is gradually increasing.
In this case, you may be able to get a certain amount refunded when you purchase a medical wig, so be sure to check whether your insurance offers any applicable services.
An increasing number of local governments are introducing subsidy systems for medical wigs
In addition, an increasing number of local governments are introducing subsidy systems to help cover the cost of purchasing wigs for people who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other reasons.
For example, in the following cities, wards, towns, and villages in Tokyo, subsidies are being offered to patients who are concerned about changes in appearance due to cancer treatment, such as hair loss or mastectomy, to cover the cost of purchasing wigs, etc. (As of April 2024).
Chiyoda Ward, Chuo Ward, Minato Ward, Bunkyo Ward, Taito Ward, Sumida Ward, Koto Ward, Shinagawa Ward, Ota Ward, Setagaya Ward, Suginami Ward, Toshima Ward, Kita Ward, Itabashi Ward, Adachi Ward, Katsushika Ward, Edogawa Ward, Hachioji City, Chofu City, Machida City, Hino City, Kunitachi City, Fussa City, Komae City, Kiyose City, Tama City, Hachijo Town
The content of the subsidy varies depending on the ward, city, town or village, so please inquire at your local ward, city, town or village office.
Reference: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Health Insurance and Medical Care - Appearance Support Project for Cancer Patients
Application requirements and recipients of the medical wig subsidy program
Not all municipalities have subsidy programs. In addition, the conditions for receiving subsidies are set in detail by each municipality, and the documents required to be submitted also differ. If you are considering using the program, be sure to inquire at the office in advance to confirm.
Conditions for applying for medical wigs subsidies
- You must reside in a prefecture or municipality that provides the subsidy.
- Those who are undergoing or have undergone anti-cancer drug treatment
- Those who need wigs because hair loss caused by side effects of anti-cancer drug treatment interferes with their employment or social participation
Other conditions may include the amount of tax you pay, so please check with your local government.
If you purchase BAREN using the subsidy system
Please contact us via BAREN's official LINE account if you require a receipt.
>> Click here to register for the official BAREN LINE account
>> Check out BAREN medical hats!
If you're not sure which hair loss products to buy... Here's why we recommend "BAREN!"
- The price of the medical hat with bangs wig "BAREN" is 18,400 yen for a set of bangs wig and scarf hat, which is reasonably priced among medical wigs.
- The comfortable design means it won't be noticed, won't get stuffy, and won't be tight, so you can feel stress-free whether you're out or at home.
- "More than 15 types of scarf hats x 8 types of bangs wigs" can be freely coordinated with clothes
- The scarf hat part can be washed in the washing machine, and the front wig can be hand washed with shampoo.
- There are over 300 reviews from BAREN buyers, with an average rating of 4.9 stars (as of April 2024), and it has received high praise from people who actually use it.
>> Recommended as your first medical wig! Check out BAREN products!
We will introduce reviews from people who, after wondering "Which medical wig is best?", ended up choosing BAREN.
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Feeling cheerful for the first time in a while ★★★★★ I knew the chemo would cause me to lose my hair, but it was hard to accept it until it came out, and I haven't even bought a full wig yet. |
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Stylish ★★★★★ I bought this for medical hair loss. |
Cute ★★★★★
I bought two different colors of loose curls. For when a full wig is troublesome or when I want to be easy. The single item is convenient because it can be combined with a care hat or knit hat that I already have and is reasonably priced. My doctor also said, "It's a stylish wig." I want a bangs type too.
I am satisfied ★★★★★
I am undergoing chemotherapy. I have a full wig, but the problem is that it makes me very tired when I wear it, probably because I'm not feeling well. This product is comfortable, easy to wear, and stylish! I was looking for an item like this! Thanks to you, I feel cheerful for the first time in a long time. Thank you very much!
Savior ★★★★★
If you are worried about hair loss, I highly recommend you try this product. It is a wonderful product filled with the passion and thoughts of the maker. From the fabric to the design, they have put a lot of thought into it! You will want to go out in style!
I love it ★★★★★
I bought this because I lost hair due to chemotherapy. I had tried full wigs and hats, but nothing suited me, and I was anxious about going out. The Baren is very natural and functional, so it lowers the hurdle of going out. I think I'll try a patterned one next.
I'm glad I found this site! ★★★★★
I was tired of living with a full wig in the summer heat, so I tried turbans, scarves, hats, and other things, but I couldn't find anything comfortable because my head size is small at 54 cm and the shape of my head is bad, so the wig would float up or hurt. I was worried about the price, but I decided to order it anyway, and when I took it out of the box and picked it up, I felt comfortable with the softness of the fabric and how good it felt on my skin. When I put it on, it was the same comfort, and I said to myself in the mirror, "That's great!" I'm looking forward to it because I can wear it in various ways. It just arrived today, but I'd like to get other things to match my fashion. I'm glad I found this site. Thank you.
Cuteness is medicine for the heart ·͜·♡ ★★★★★
I bought this for the first time before my chemotherapy! I was shocked by the loss of my hair, scared, and had mixed feelings, and I ended up finding BAREN before I even recovered from the pain after surgery.
At first, my daughter told me it was "very stylish", but now that I've completely lost my hair, it looks better than a full wig!! Now, even my harsh daughter has given me great feedback.
It has fur and fabric where you want it, and it's so practical that you can wash it!
Now I think of BAREN when coordinating my outfits, so I want more people to know about it.
Although we may lose many things when we get sick, I truly believe that cuteness is medicine for the heart!!
I'm glad I found BAREN★¨̮
What did you think?
The disease, the treatment, the costs involved... When you have cancer, the things you worry about just keep increasing, but the quickest way to ease your anxiety even a little is to "know the truth."
I hope that the information I have introduced today regarding the costs associated with medical wigs will be of use to you.
We developed BAREN because we wanted a comfortable and stylish medical wig that would help ease the feelings of hair loss.
We look forward to the day when BAREN can bring a smile to everyone's faces.
>> Check out "BAREN," the medical cap with bangs wig!
>> For product inquiries, please click here (BAREN Official LINE) 
💡What is medical expense deduction?
If you have paid medical expenses for yourself, your spouse, or other relatives who share the same household with you between January 1 and December 31 of that year, and the medical expenses you paid exceed a certain amount, you can deduct an amount calculated based on the amount of those medical expenses (see "Amount eligible for medical expense deduction" below). This is called the medical expense deduction.
Medical expenses include medical expenses such as medical treatment and hospitalization fees for doctors and dentists, food expenses during hospitalization, and medical expenses for visiting the hospital, as well as the expenses for regular pregnancy checkups and postnatal checkups, infertility treatment, and artificial insemination. In addition, medical expenses and drug costs paid at medical institutions are also eligible for medical expense deductions, even if they are not covered by insurance.
However, the purchase costs of medicines such as vitamins used to prevent disease or promote health, or medical wigs that are not directly related to treatment, are not considered medical expenses.
Reference: National Tax Agency-1. No.1120 When you pay medical expenses (medical expense deduction)
What is a medical wig?
Medical wigs are wigs worn by people who suffer from hair loss due to side effects of chemotherapy, injuries, head surgery, or alopecia, and have a different purpose than fashion wigs, which are generally used for stylish purposes.
While fashion wigs are primarily used for changing one's image or for becoming more stylish, medical wigs are required to be comfortable, with features such as "breathable" and "materials that are gentle on the skin," as well as to look "natural." They are designed to allow patients to lead normal lives without interfering with work or going out.
People undergoing chemotherapy or those suffering from alopecia often use medical wigs, but there are no clear regulations regarding their definition or specifications.
💡What is a medical cap (care cap)?
Medical caps (care caps) are caps made for people who suffer from various types of problems, such as hair loss caused by side effects of chemotherapy, injuries, or allergies to chemical fibers.
Medical caps (care caps) not only cover hair loss, but also protect the scalp from irritation such as direct sunlight and dryness. As they come into direct contact with the scalp, it is important that they are not only comfortable to wear and are made of skin-friendly materials, but also have a stylish design that makes them easy to enjoy in everyday life.
