Wigs and hairpieces subsidy
The wigs and hairpieces subsidy helps reduce the cost of buying and maintaining a wig or hairpiece, or other related product or headwear----Health New Zealand
CNG Wigs Sylvia Park is an Approved Wigs and Hairpieces Supplier for New Zealand Ministry of Health. Our professional staff is available to assist qualified customers with the application process for the Wigs and Hairpieces Subsidy.
FAQs
What the wigs and hairpieces subsidy is
The wigs and hairpieces subsidy is for people who have serious hair loss because of a medical condition or from cancer treatment.
Your specialist or GP must give you a current medical certificate that covers your:
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National Health Index (NHI) number
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details of the hair loss condition
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whether it is permanent or temporary.
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Sector Operations) will pay the subsidy amount to any eligible person or the provider of the wig, hairpiece or other related product or headwear.
Who can apply for the wigs and hairpieces subsidy
You can claim for this subsidy if you:
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are a New Zealand citizen or are ordinarily resident in Aotearoa New Zealand
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have a medical condition that has caused you to lose your hair, for example, cancer treatment, alopecia or other scalp conditions that cause hair loss.
How to make a wigs and hairpieces subsidy claim
Your GP or medical specialist will talk to you about the subsidy and provide a medical certificate. You then need to find a supplier and choose the right wig, hairpiece or other related product or headwear.
Once you have done this you can either:
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request the supplier make a claim to Health NZ (Sector Operations) for you
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make a claim yourself.
If the supplier makes the claim for you
The supplier will:
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fill in the details of the product and cost
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ask you to add your personal details and sign the form.
If this is a first claim they will also need a copy of your medical certificate.
You do not pay for the product. But keep a copy of the receipt the supplier gives you for your records.
If you make the claim yourself
You pay for the product yourself. To claim a reimbursement you must first have a Health NZ (Sector Operations) payee number. For a payee number application form and a wigs and hairpieces claim form, contact Sector Operations:
You will need to complete the forms and return them to Sector Operations for reimbursement of your costs.
What you can use the subsidy for
The service payment is available to cover the cost of the following items only:
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wig or hairpiece
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head wear, for example, hats or turbans
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eyebrow wigs and associated products.
How much you can claim
If you are 18 years or over, the amount you are entitled to depends on whether your hair loss is permanent or temporary.
If you are under 18, your entitlement is the same whether your hair loss is temporary or permanent.
For adults with permanent hair loss
Your entitlement is $2,330.66 (including GST) over a 9-year period. You can claim all or part of this entitlement at any time over the 9-year period.
For adults with temporary hair loss
Your entitlement is $408.88 (including GST) over a 1-year period. You can claim all or part of this entitlement at any time over the 1-year period.
For children with temporary or permanent hair loss
If you are under 18 your entitlement is $1,226.66 (including GST) over a 3-year period or until you turn 18, if that happens first. You can claim all or part of your entitlement at any time over the entitlement period.
In exceptional situations Health NZ will consider:
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allowing access to your next entitlement earlier (early access)
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making the start date of your next entitlement earlier (new term)
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approving actual costs over and above your current entitlement (top up).
If you are 18 or over and your hair growth has been affected by cancer or cancer treatments you may still be entitled to $1,226.66 (including GST) over a 3-year period. To apply for this entitlement contact Health NZ and provide supporting medical information.
When your entitlement period ends
At the end of your entitlement period, any subsidy amount not spent is cancelled. If Health NZ agrees that your hair loss is permanent, an entitlement of $2,330.66 (including GST) will be credited, for a 9-year period.
For temporary hair loss, you must apply again to Health NZ (Sector Operations) for another entitlement. To do this you must send in a new medical certificate that verifies that your hair loss is either temporary or permanent. A new entitlement balance with then be credited.