SPRINGFIELD — People requiring laser hair removal due to a medical condition may soon be able to get this procedure covered by their insurance plans, thanks to a measure led in the Senate by State Senator Graciela Guzmán.

“Folks deserve to be able to undergo medically necessary procedures without paying massive bills out of pocket. Their insurance should do their due diligence and cover these treatments to improve their health and quality of life,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “I am proud to sponsor legislation that makes this treatment more accessible, because for many folks it is essential to their physical and mental health.”

Since laser hair removal is currently considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by many health insurance plans. However, there are cases in which laser hair removal is considered medically necessary, including for people with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by blocked hair follicles, severe hormonal disorders that may lead to excess hair growth, and gender dysphoria. For people with these conditions, going through life without laser hair removal causes immense physical and mental discomfort, but unfortunately cannot be addressed by all insurance plans currently available.

To give more people the ability to seek medically necessary care, House Bill 3248, championed by Rep. Lilian Jimenez, would require all state employee health plans and private insurance plans to cover medically necessary laser hair removal if the procedure is a prescribed medical treatment in accordance with generally accepted standards of medical care. If passed, people diagnosed with these conditions will be able to pursue this treatment plan at a lower personal cost and improve their quality of life.

“Health care decisions should be based on medical needs, not arbitrary insurance definitions,” said State Representative Lilian Jiménez (D-Chicago), the House sponsor of the bill. “People with medical conditions deserve access to treatment without financial barriers.”

"As someone who lives with hidradenitis suppurativa, I know firsthand that access to treatment should never be a battle with insurance companies,” said Estrella Vazquez, an advocate who testified in committee in support of this legislation. “This is not about cosmetic care, this is about essential, life-changing medical treatment."

House Bill 3248 passed the Senate Insurance Committee on Tuesday.