It’s Time to Level the Playing Field for Alopecia Areata Patients

In today’s challenging environment where healthcare and affordability are top-of-mind, patients need access to medicines and treatments to ensure the most efficient and affordable path to wellness.

Unfortunately, access restrictions continue to hinder millions of patients who struggle with autoimmune disorders, including the more than 700,000 people with alopecia areata. This serious medical condition, while common, is widely misunderstood and frequently mischaracterized as “purely cosmetic.”

This classification is harmful to patients who are forced to live with the underlying physical and mental health challenges that alopecia areata brings. Often appearing in childhood, alopecia areata affects people of all ages, genders, ethnic groups, and skin types. Unfortunately, there are currently no FDA-approved treatment options for patients.

As the dermatology community meets this weekend at the American Academy of Dermatology’s Annual Meeting, LMDD is calling attention to much-needed reforms that could level the playing field for alopecia areata patients. Together with patient groups and advocacy organizations, we strongly encourage CMS, insurance companies, and other decisionmakers to adopt policies and procedures that reduce barriers and recognize alopecia areata as the serious medical condition it is.

For more information, see LMDD’s explainer video about alopecia areata and what can be done to change the status quo for patients. You can also watch a short discussion between medical experts and stakeholders about why it’s important to give alopecia areata the recognition it deserves.