cover cold cap device to save hair during chemo

The Issue

I used cold caps which are a medical grade device while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Breast cancer chemotherapy causes complete hair loss, but I kept my hair using the caps! This device is frozen on dry ice and is worn during chemo. I rented the caps from Penguin Cold Caps, and they worked! The cost of renting them was nearly $2,000 which I had to pay out of pocket, and UPMC Health Plan is denying my request for reimbursement declaring them not medically necessary. Not only is it necessary to keep you looking like yourself, not losing your hair REALLY helps you feel like yourself too. This device worked for me and for many other women, please UPMC, acknowledge that we should be able to save our hair while going through such a traumatic event. More women should have access to these so that they may feel like themselves, not a cancer patient. Please let UPMC know that if you were in the same position, you would want them covered!

This petition had 186 supporters

The Issue

I used cold caps which are a medical grade device while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Breast cancer chemotherapy causes complete hair loss, but I kept my hair using the caps! This device is frozen on dry ice and is worn during chemo. I rented the caps from Penguin Cold Caps, and they worked! The cost of renting them was nearly $2,000 which I had to pay out of pocket, and UPMC Health Plan is denying my request for reimbursement declaring them not medically necessary. Not only is it necessary to keep you looking like yourself, not losing your hair REALLY helps you feel like yourself too. This device worked for me and for many other women, please UPMC, acknowledge that we should be able to save our hair while going through such a traumatic event. More women should have access to these so that they may feel like themselves, not a cancer patient. Please let UPMC know that if you were in the same position, you would want them covered!

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Petition created on July 16, 2013