Insurance & access

Insurance Coverage

There are many ways to help cover the cost of electrolysis. At Electrolysis NW, we believe access to care matters, and we work with patients to explore insurance coverage and other options that can make treatment more affordable. Our goal is to help you find a way to get the care you need.

Our biller is experienced with most insurance plans. Insurance coverage for hair removal generally requires prior authorization. Coverage depends on your plan and treatment. Choose your insurance below for your preparation checklist.

We provide medically necessary hair removal, including gender-affirming care and preparation for surgery. Insurance coverage may be possible for hair removal associated with PCOS, generally through prior authorization. Electrolysis NW has not yet handled a PCOS-related claim, and coverage is not promised. Gender dysphoria is not a universal prerequisite for PCOS-related coverage. Contact us to discuss your plan and next steps.

Electrolysis NW is contracted with Kaiser and Washington Apple Health. We have also worked with Premera, Regence/Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Aetna. Selecting an insurer does not guarantee coverage.

Medicare does not cover hair removal.

Medical documents belong in Jane—not on this website. Staff can help create your account and send a secure upload link. We can help with multipage documents, too.

Your insurance checklist

Tap your plan to open its checklist. These are the same instructions used by the interactive website guide.

Washington Apple Health (Medicaid)

Apple Health: your paperwork checklist

This is Electrolysis NW’s preparation checklist for gender-affirming hair removal. We review your documents, our medical director assesses the treatment units needed, and Electrolysis NW submits the prior authorization request to Apple Health. Additional information may be needed for your treatment or surgical plan.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Signed PCP letterA signed letter documenting gender dysphoria and explaining that shaving or other hair-removal methods have not relieved your dysphoria.
Signed hormone-provider letterA signed letter confirming more than six months of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or explaining why HRT is not possible for you. One provider can cover both the PCP and hormone-provider requirements in a single signed letter.
ProviderOne cardA clear copy of your Washington Apple Health ProviderOne services card.
Matching legal IDA clear copy of your legal ID matching your ProviderOne card. If the names do not match or you need help with this, ask our staff for assistance.
Treatment-assessment photographs, if requestedFor non-genital areas, we may ask for assessment photographs showing approximately three days of hair growth. Our medical director uses the assessment to estimate the electrolysis or laser treatment units needed for the prior authorization request. Staff will tell you which non-genital areas to photograph and how to submit images securely through Jane. Never take or send genital photographs.
Secure submission through JaneAsk staff to help create your Jane account and send a secure upload link. Upload all pages of signed letters and other multipage documents. Do not email medical documents or upload them to this website.

Electrolysis NW submits the prior authorization request, including the assessed treatment units. Selecting Apple Health or completing this checklist does not guarantee coverage or approval. We will explain the authorization decision and next steps.

If your treatment is preparation for surgery, tell us so we can check whether your surgeon’s plan or other information is needed.

Never submit genital photographs. This website has no document-upload or medical-information collection form.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser: prior authorization comes first

Prior authorization is required for Kaiser-covered treatment. Our usual route is through your primary care provider (PCP), although some of our patients have successfully obtained authorization themselves.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Request prior authorizationAsk your PCP about authorization for hair removal at Electrolysis NW. If you already have authorization or obtained it yourself, let us know.
Insurance card and legal IDHave clear copies ready so we can identify your plan and review your authorization.
Authorization documentProvide the complete authorization, including all pages. Staff can help check the authorized service, provider, dates and any approved treatment limits.
Secure submission through JaneUse the secure upload link sent by our staff. We can help create your Jane account and explain how to submit multipage documents. Do not email medical documents.

Kaiser plans and authorization details can differ. We will review your information before confirming insurance-covered treatment.

If you are having trouble getting started, choose the paperwork-help option below. You do not need to solve the process alone.

Do not send medical documents through ordinary email or this website. Never send genital photographs.

Regence / Blue Cross Blue Shield

Regence / Blue Cross Blue Shield: two Letters of Support

Two Letters of Support must be on file before prior authorization is requested. These are the clinic’s instructions for gender-affirming treatment; ask staff about requirements for other reasons for care, including PCOS.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Primary care provider Letter of SupportThe letter must state your diagnosis, how long you have been on hormone replacement therapy, and how long you have been living in your true gender.
Mental health provider Letter of SupportThe letter must state your diagnosis and confirm that the provider has been trained to treat patients with gender dysphoria.
Check both signatures and datesBoth letters must be signed with an actual signature, not merely a typed name, and dated within the previous six months.
Prior authorizationHave both letters on file before prior authorization is requested.
Secure submission through JaneAsk staff for account help and a secure upload link. Send all pages of letters and authorizations through Jane, not ordinary email or this website. Never send genital photographs.

Requirements can change. Ask staff to review your exact plan. Selecting a plan or completing this checklist does not guarantee coverage or authorization.

Never send genital photographs. Medical documents must be sent securely through Jane, not uploaded to this website.

Premera

Premera: prior authorization guidance

We have worked with Premera. Insurance coverage for hair removal generally requires prior authorization. We have not established a plan-specific document checklist here.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Contact Electrolysis NWAsk our staff to review your particular plan, treatment, prior authorization process and any documents needed. Do not gather another insurer’s letters unless staff confirms they apply.
Secure submission through JaneAsk staff for account help and a secure upload link. Send all pages of letters and authorizations through Jane, not ordinary email or this website. Never send genital photographs.

Requirements can change. Ask staff to review your exact plan. Selecting a plan or completing this checklist does not guarantee coverage or authorization.

Never send genital photographs. Medical documents must be sent securely through Jane, not uploaded to this website.

Cigna

Cigna: your preparation checklist

Our biller has worked with Cigna. Insurance coverage for hair removal generally requires prior authorization.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Champion, if availableIdeally you have a Champion, but a Champion is not mandatory.
Mental health provider Letter of SupportWe need a Letter of Support from your mental health provider on file.
Check facial electrolysis coverageNot all Cigna plans cover facial electrolysis. Ask staff to review your plan and prior authorization requirements.
Secure submission through JaneAsk staff for account help and a secure upload link. Send all pages of letters and authorizations through Jane, not ordinary email or this website. Never send genital photographs.

Requirements can change. Ask staff to review your exact plan. Selecting a plan or completing this checklist does not guarantee coverage or authorization.

Never send genital photographs. Medical documents must be sent securely through Jane, not uploaded to this website.

Aetna

Aetna: authorization and payment options

Aetna is generally reluctant to cover hair removal outside surgical preparation.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Discuss prior authorizationIf you can obtain prior authorization and pay out of pocket, that is our preferred arrangement. Prior authorization does not itself guarantee reimbursement.
Surgical preparationFor surgical preparation, Electrolysis NW is willing to attempt direct insurance billing. Contact us to discuss your case before arranging treatment.
Secure submission through JaneAsk staff for account help and a secure upload link. Send all pages of letters and authorizations through Jane, not ordinary email or this website. Never send genital photographs.

Requirements can change. Ask staff to review your exact plan. Selecting a plan or completing this checklist does not guarantee coverage or authorization.

Never send genital photographs. Medical documents must be sent securely through Jane, not uploaded to this website.

Medicare

Medicare: coverage information

Medicare does not cover hair removal.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Explore other ways to cover treatment costsMedicare does not cover hair removal. Contact Electrolysis NW to discuss other options that may make treatment more affordable. Do not send medical records through this website or ordinary email.
Secure submission through JaneAsk staff for account help and a secure upload link. Send all pages of letters and authorizations through Jane, not ordinary email or this website. Never send genital photographs.

Staff can help you explore other options. Medical documents, if requested, must be submitted securely through Jane.

Never send genital photographs. Medical documents must be sent securely through Jane, not uploaded to this website.

Another plan / I’m not sure

Insurance: ask us to review your plan

Our biller is experienced with most insurance plans. Insurance coverage for hair removal generally requires prior authorization.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Contact staff about your planAsk us to review your exact policy and explain the authorization process and any required documents. No additional insurer-specific requirements are assumed here.
Secure submission through JaneAsk staff for account help and a secure upload link. Send all pages of letters and authorizations through Jane, not ordinary email or this website. Never send genital photographs.

Requirements can change. Ask staff to review your exact plan. Selecting a plan or completing this checklist does not guarantee coverage or authorization.

Never send genital photographs. Medical documents must be sent securely through Jane, not uploaded to this website.

I’m paying for treatment myself

Self-pay: no insurance authorization checklist

You do not need insurance documents for self-pay treatment. You can see our published prices and book through Jane.

Electrolysis NW · 360-715-1088 · Documents go securely through Jane · Prepared October 18, 2026

Choose your appointmentNew to electrolysis? Start with a free 30-minute consultation. Laser is offered through our $200 monthly subscription for a 30-minute session, using whichever areas fit into that time.
Use Jane to bookChoose your location, practitioner and appointment in our current Jane booking system. Ask staff for help if you need an account.

Purchase the laser membership through Fresha. Schedule appointments separately through Jane. This checklist does not enroll you or charge you.

Do not upload medical documents to this website.

Need a hand with the paperwork?

We can help you understand the checklist, create a Jane account, and get a secure upload link for your documents—including multipage letters. You do not have to work it all out before asking us.

Request paperwork help Call 360-715-1088

Use email only to request assistance. Please do not attach medical documents, insurance cards, IDs or photographs. Staff will arrange secure submission through Jane.

Secure submission, step by step

Contact staff for account help or a secure Jane upload link.
Use the link and Jane’s secure process to submit the requested documents.
Include every page of multipage letters and authorizations. If you are unsure how, ask staff for help.
Our medical director assesses the proposed treatment and estimates the electrolysis or laser units needed for the authorization request. For non-genital areas, assessment photographs may be used as part of this review.
Electrolysis NW submits the Apple Health prior authorization request and explains the next steps.

Never send genital photographs. Assessment photos of other areas should only be sent when requested, following staff instructions, through the secure process.

Book an appointment in Jane