Nova Scotia to reimburse cancer patients for some of wig cost

Low-income Nova Scotians being treated for cancer and dealing with hair loss can get a $300 rebate toward the cost of a wig. (Communications Nova Scotia)

Nova Scotians going through cancer treatment can be reimbursed $300 if they buy a wig to help deal with hair loss.

To be eligible, people must be a Nova Scotia resident with a valid health card, have a gross family income of $35,000 a year or less, be enrolled in the drug assistance for cancer patients program and have no private insurance that covers the cost of a wig.

“A cancer diagnosis is scary enough,” Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson said in a news release Thursday.

““We want to give people some help to buy a wig if they choose and hopefully let them focus more of their energy on getting well.”

People can apply here: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/pharmacare/cancer-assistance.asp

The government estimates about 360 patients could be eligible for the one-time rebate, which will cost about $110,000.

The province also provides a rebate for mastectomy breast prostheses and two programs that support low-income cancer patients – the boarding, transportation and ostomy programs, and the drug assistance for cancer patients.