As a patient suffering from Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), I – along with many others – face unbearable distress due to limited treatment options. Diagnosed with this chronic and painful skin condition, we commonly experience inflamed and swollen lumps and painful abscesses under our skin. Our current treatment options are often costly, involving expensive and potentially risky immune-suppressing medications that cost tens of thousands of dollars monthly.

Laser hair removal has been recommended by medical experts as an effective and safe treatment option for HS. Many studies like one in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology suggests that it can substantially reduce disease flare-ups and improve the quality of life for HS patients (JAAD, 2015). Despite these promising results, we have difficulty accessing laser treatment with insurance coverage, causing additional financial stress on top of the already profound physical and emotional pain endured by HS patients.

We are calling on Aetna to acknowledge the undeniable benefits of laser hair removal treatment for HS, and to update their policies to cover this procedure. By doing so, Aetna would not only offer a potentially life-changing treatment option for HS patients but also strengthen their commitment towards comprehensive healthcare coverage. Please support us and sign our petition. Inspire change for the HS community, urge Aetna to cover laser hair removal treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa.