California mandates insurance coverage for chemotherapy scalp-cooling treatments under AB 1682
Starting in January 2027, California patients undergoing chemotherapy will gain broader access to scalp-cooling treatments under a new state law that mandates insurance coverage for the technology, CBS News reported. Assembly Bill 1682 requires health insurers to cover machine-based systems such as DigniCap and Paxman, a change set to save patients thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. Medicare already covers certain scalp-cooling treatments, but the state mandate broadens financial access.
For Elk Grove breast cancer survivor Rebecca Dierssen, using a DigniCap cooling system during her treatment three years ago at Dignity Health Mercy Cancer Center in Sacramento helped her maintain privacy and a sense of normalcy. Dierssen recalled seeing positive progress about a month into her sessions after reviewing a photo on her phone. While she did experience some hair loss, she never lost all of her hair.
The treatment involves wearing a snugly fitted cap over wet hair connected to a machine that lowers scalp temperatures. This cooling process restricts blood flow to hair follicles, which limits the amount of chemotherapy medication reaching them and reduces hair loss for certain individuals.
Dr. Shahzad Siddique of Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group noted that maintaining hair is a major priority for breast cancer patients and is often among their first questions. Siddique stated that while most breast cancer chemotherapy treatments result in 90% hair loss, cool caps can reduce that loss to less than 50% for two-thirds of patients.
Physical adaptation to the cooling systems requires patience. Dierssen noted that the procedure can feel uncomfortable initially, with the first 10 to 15 minutes presenting the most significant challenge, prompting her to bundle up before each session. Dierssen encourages current patients to talk with their oncologists about the option and advocate for themselves as the upcoming bill reduces cost barriers.
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