Cancer Survivor Wins $1,880 Insurance Battle Over Hair Loss

Laurie Loomis refused to let chemotherapy take everything from her. The Milwaukee breast cancer survivor turned to a relatively new treatment called cold capping that helped her keep 60% of her hair during treatment, but the real battle came when she got the $1,880 bill.

Loomis had called UnitedHealthcare before starting treatment and was told her Medicare Advantage plan covered scalp cooling. Months later, when she submitted her claim for reimbursement, the insurance company denied it and claimed they had no record of covering the treatment.

"It should not just be something for rich women," Loomis told FOX6 News. Exhausted from fighting both cancer and her insurance company between chemotherapy sessions, she reached out for help.

The scalp cooling system works by using liquid coolant to lower the scalp's temperature during chemotherapy. This restricts blood flow to hair follicles, preventing cancer drugs from damaging them. The FDA approved the technology, and it now has official medical billing codes.

Senator Tammy Baldwin's office sent a letter on Loomis's behalf. She also filed a grievance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. After months of appeals, UnitedHealthcare finally sent her a full reimbursement check in April.

The insurance company admitted the hospital had billed Loomis directly instead of filing a claim, and confirmed that cold capping is indeed covered by her plan.

The Ripple Effect

Loomis's victory comes at a turning point for scalp cooling access. Three states have now passed laws requiring insurance coverage for the treatment. New York and Louisiana's mandates took effect in January 2026, with West Virginia following in 2027.

Paxman Vice President Karin Buck says the technology has expanded from its first U.S. patient in 2017 to over 1,000 hospitals nationwide. However, many hospitals still bill patients directly instead of going through insurance, creating confusion and financial barriers.

About 70 patients received scalp cooling at UW Health facilities since July 2025 alone, showing strong demand in Wisconsin. Yet limited Southeast Wisconsin hospitals currently offer the treatment, and the state has not pursued insurance coverage mandates like other states.

UnitedHealthcare confirmed that cold capping coverage extends beyond Medicare Advantage plans to other insurance products as well.

Loomis hopes her exhausting fight will spare others the same stress during an already difficult time: patients of any gender undergoing chemotherapy now have a clearer path to keeping this piece of their identity intact.