Frequently Asked Questions
Office
A: Compassionate Creations is no longer accepting new wig orders.
A:Compassionate Creations is no longer accepting new wig orders.
Pricing
A: The price is $1,600 US and includes the following:
● Any supplemental hair needed to meet our 300 g weight requirement
● Free shipping and insurance for your completed wig (United States only)
● A full wash, conditioning and oil treatment for your completed wig
● Lifetime access to our representatives for any future questions or concerns
A: The cost to make a wig from purchased hair is based on the type of hair, color and length you would like your completed wig to be. Due to this customization, the price to make a wig from purchased hair is available upon request.
A: Many of our clients have had wonderful success in the past collecting funds for a wig through crowdsourcing websites such as Gofundme.com, Youcaring.com, Giveforward.com or Facebook. We offer an interest free payment plan on a case by case basis. Contact us to learn more about the qualifications. We can not accept hair donations in exchange for a discount.
A: According to IRS Publication 502, you may include in your medical expenses the cost of a wig that was purchased upon the advice of a physician.
Insurance Coverage
A: Depending on your coverage, you may be eligible to have some or all of your wig reimbursed by your insurance provider. A custom wig is considered a cranial prosthesis which falls under the durable medical equipment category. A cranial prosthesis is different from a traditional wig in regards to quality, performance, and service. These prostheses are intended for people with severe hair loss and consist of specialized materials. Contact your provider to find out what your coverage is concerning durable medical equipment and the process you must take to file a reimbursement claim for the cost of your wig.
We are not currently listed as providers so we cannot bill your insurance company directly. In order for construction to begin on any new custom wig order, payment is required up front. After payment is completed, we will give you a sales receipt that you can then submit to your insurance company so you can get reimbursed for your purchase. We can list any address or CPT Code you would like us to on your sales receipt. If there are no providers in-network, some insurance companies allow you to use your out-of-network benefits as in-network benefits. Contact your provider and ask them if this is an option under your plan.
We also recommend getting a prescription from your doctor to boost your reimbursement claim. Explain to your doctor that you need the prescription to be written for a cranial prosthesis and not a wig for insurance purposes. If they know the CPT Code your insurance company requires, ask them to include it on your prescription. Acquiring a prescription is for insurance purposes only and is not required to get a wig from Compassionate Creations. If you are denied coverage, you can always appeal. We suggest enclosing a letter to your insurance company stating the emotional side effects of your hair loss and how it has impacted your daily life
The most commonly used CPT codes for reimbursement/billing of a cranial prosthesis are:
A9282 “Wig, Any Type, each”
D5924 “Cranial Prosthesis”
S8095 “Cranial Prosthesis”
Hair Donations
A: Yes! Giving the gift of hair to a person in need is an incredible gesture and we honor each and every individual that takes the time to donate their hair to our company. Please contact us to learn more about our donation requirements.
A: Your hair donation must be at least 10 inches in length from root to end. Your hair must also be healthy enough to withstand the hand tying process. It’s okay to send us hair that has been dyed as long as the hair is healthy enough for wig making.
A: Our preferred method of cutting your hair for a donation is different from most charities. We ask that you section your hair into a minimum of 4 ponytails and use small rubber bands to fasten the hair securely. Please measure the tails before you cut them to ensure you meet our minimum length requirement of 10 inches. Your hair should be clean, completely dry and in its natural texture before you cut it off. For visual instructions on the proper way to cut your hair for a donation, please visit our video tutorials page.
A: Double check to make sure all of the rubber bands are securely fastened around the pony tails. Bunch all of the pony tails together at the root and roll them up lengthwise in a paper towel. You don’t have to individually wrap each ponytail in a paper towel. Place the rolled-up ponytails at the bottom of a large Ziploc bag. If you need to fold the hair/ paper towel in half in order to fit it in the bag, that’s perfectly alright. Try to keep the hair elongated throughout the entire process so we can avoid the hair getting tangled during shipment. You can use a large envelope or a box to ship your hair. Don’t forget to include your name and address on the package so we can mail you a thank you card. Contact the business in order to get the mailing address to send in your hair. We design all of our wigs in Portland, Oregon and our address is available upon request.
Wig from Your Own Hair
A: Our minimum length requirement for a hair submission is 10 inches from root to end. We need a minimum of 300 grams or 10 oz of hair in order to build a custom wig. The price to make a wig from your own hair includes any supplemental hair needed to meet our weight requirement.
A: We suggest to our clients undergoing cancer treatment to cut their hair all the way to the scalp in order to save as much of the length and weight as possible. We also suggest cutting your hair to the scalp if you prefer to wear your hair long. If you plan to cut your hair from the scalp or you intend to shave your head, you will need to split your hair up into 1-inch square sections and ponytail off those sections with small rubber bands. Try to keep the sections as small and neat as possible. For visual instructions on the proper way to cut your hair from the scalp, please visit our video tutorials page. If you’re not comfortable cutting your hair from the scalp, please watch our “how to cut your hair for a donation” video.
A: The time frame to build a custom wig is currently 8-10 weeks. That 8-10 week turnaround time only accounts for the actual construction of the wig and does not include our back and forth communication or the shipping time required to mail the hair to our wig makers.
A: Double check to make sure all of the rubber bands are securely fastened around the pony tails. Bunch all of the pony tails together at the root and roll them up lengthwise in a paper towel. You don’t have to individually wrap each ponytail in a paper towel. Place the rolled-up ponytails at the bottom of a large Ziploc bag. If you need to fold the hair/ paper towel in half in order to fit it in the bag, that’s perfectly alright. Try to keep the hair elongated throughout the entire process so we can avoid the hair getting tangled during shipment. You can use a large envelope or a box to ship your hair. Don’t forget to include a completed Client Information and Head Measurement sheet in with your package so we can properly fill your order. Contact the business in order to get the mailing address to send in your hair. We design all of our wigs in Portland, Oregon and our address is available upon request.
Wig Maintenance
A: Yes! Each strand of hair is hand-tied by a professional wig maker which gives you the flexibility to style and part the hair in any direction you’d like. All you need is a comb and a liberal amount of water to change the part.
A: The lifetime of your wig depends on how well you care for it. The more wear and tear you put on your wig, the shorter the lifespan will be. The typical lifespan for a custom hand tied wig is 10 years. It’s very common to see hair shed or hairs coming through the inside of the cap after a few washes. This is normal! If the hair shed becomes excessive, you can always have more hair added to the wig.
A: No. Your wig is custom built to fit your specific head measurements so it should feel snug enough for you to perform various physical activities. If you’re nervous about the wig falling off or slipping back, you can use tape or glue on the ear tabs to adhere the wig to your head for extra security.
A: Use products that are labeled as professional grade or salon quality. Always look for products that are sulfate free and paraben free. We also suggest using some lightweight oil on the ends of the wig after a wash to help restore moisture to the hair.
A: Yes. All of our custom wigs are built exclusively with human hair so you can use the same heating implements you used on your own hair. We suggest using a low heat setting and a thermal protectant to avoid burning the hair.
A: We suggest washing your wig on an as needed basis only. You don’t need to wash your wig as often as you did your own hair. For visual instructions on the proper way to wash your wig, please visit our video tutorials page. Every wig we construct is unique and custom made to order which means not everybody’s washing technique will be the same or as easy as displayed in our video. Please schedule a First Wash video consultation with us instead of following along to the video so we can customize your washing plan in real time and focus our advice towards your specific hair type.
A: If you are wearing your wig on a day-to-day basis, we suggest resting it on a head form when you are not wearing it. Having it stretched over a head form will help train the hair and the materials to mimic the shape of your head. Head forms are also helpful when it comes to styling the hair in your wig. It’s easier to style the wig when it’s on a form than your own head- trust us! If you want something more sturdy to work on than styrofoam, we suggest getting a canvas head that matches your circumference measurement. If you don’t plan to wear your wig for an extended amount of time, you can fold the wig in half and place it in the silk bag we mailed with your wig. Store the bag in a cool, dry place.