Guest guest Posted May 5, 2000 Report Share Posted May 5, 2000 Ok, do I get a helmet at 100% paid by insurance locally or do I drive 2 1/2 hours weekly to Madison to get the DOC Band, $200 deductible and 80%. I so much like the idea of a DOC Band in the summer when hot. What do others think? Would appreciate your comments. Thanks Tammy & Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2000 Report Share Posted May 6, 2000 This is the toughest decision and no one can make it for you. We had a similar choice to make and literally made a list of pros and cons. Include all items such as effectiveness of treatment, cost, confidence in treatment facility, effect on family members (work situations, siblings, etc) and anything else that might impact your decision. It sounds hard, but don't let cost be the most important factor. I think effectiveness of treatment should be. We just got a DOC band and had two 80+ days in Ohio. 's head was a little sweaty and the smell has already begun. I know some helmets have openings on the top like the band does. Would yours? Maybe one hot summer might be worth the cost savings if the helmet works well. Best of luck. No matter which you chose, you are doing the right thing. Sue ----- Original Message ----- From: <bailykuhn@...> <plagiocephalyegroups>; <Torticolliskidsegroups> Sent: Friday, May 05, 2000 9:28 PM Subject: Tammy & , helmet or band? > Ok, do I get a helmet at 100% paid by insurance locally or do I drive 2 1/2 > hours weekly to Madison to get the DOC Band, $200 deductible and 80%. I so > much like the idea of a DOC Band in the summer when hot. What do others > think? Would appreciate your comments. > > Thanks > > Tammy & > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > High rates giving you headaches? The 0% APR Introductory Rate from > Capital One. 9.9% Fixed thereafter! > 1/3010/4/_/689409/_/957576535/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2000 Report Share Posted May 6, 2000 In a message dated 5/6/00 1:11:49 AM Central Daylight Time, msluck@... writes: << 's head was a little sweaty and the smell has already begun. >> Hi Sue....I started using an adhesive remover on helmet and the smell seems to have disapeared. I bought it at a medical supply place. It ran about $14 for 50 packets, similar to alcohol swabs. You just need to be cautious because it will remove glue used as well. Belinda (Indiana) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2000 Report Share Posted May 7, 2000 Dear Tammy, I too had to make the decision between absorbing the cost of the DOC band or going with an orthopedic helmet. The plastic surgeon my son, , sees is a huge fan of the DOC band, and when I found out that specific device wasn't cover by our insurance I thought would never get " fixed " properly. I remember calling the orthopedic and asking tons of questions regarding their means of treatment vs. the DOC band almost in tears. The orthopedic assured me would receive " as good if not better treatment " and I decided to trust that he wasn't just feeding me what I needed to hear at that time. (note: I love this guy now, he is so good with and geniunely gets attached to his helmet kids, as he fondly calls them). has been in his " helmet " for 2 months now and my husband and I have noticed significant improvement. The device looks just like a DOC band and in fact the plastic surgeon actually thought it was a DOC band. has the ventilation hole on top and I've seen lots of kids with extra holes drilled on the sides as need, but in terms of the odor I think they all get a little stinky. Good luck with your decision! (2 1/2 hours a week in the car though, urgh!) Laurie and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2000 Report Share Posted May 7, 2000 Thanks for the advice! ----- Original Message ----- From: <bgles2@...> <Plagiocephalyegroups> Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2000 9:54 AM Subject: Re: Tammy & , helmet or band? > In a message dated 5/6/00 1:11:49 AM Central Daylight Time, > msluck@... writes: > > << 's head was a > little sweaty and the smell has already begun. >> > Hi Sue....I started using an adhesive remover on helmet and the smell seems > to have disapeared. I bought it at a medical supply place. It ran about $14 > for 50 packets, similar to alcohol swabs. You just need to be cautious > because it will remove glue used as well. Belinda (Indiana) > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > eGroups eLerts > It's Easy. It's Fun. Best of All, it's Free! > 1/3863/4/_/689409/_/957621288/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2000 Report Share Posted May 7, 2000 Tammy and , Before you make your decision, try to get an appointment with the person making the local helmet and interview them. Have him/her show you the helmet, ask how it works, how to clean, about adjustments and ask how much correction can be expected in ear assymetry, facial assymetry, occipital (back of head) rounding. Ask how frequent adjustments are made and the timeframe expected. You may already know how the DOC works, so if you don't, call them and have those questions answered by the DOC people as well. We interviewed our local orthotist (vs driving 4-1/2 hours ea. way/flying 250 miles ~ 1 hr ea.way for the DOC band) and it was the best thing we did to make our decision. OUR local orthotist makes all sorts of orthotics and prosthetics and had only done 18 helmets in 16 years and HE suggessted looking into the DOC band. Now that told us that he didn't have a lot of experience (we never even brought up the DOC ourselves, so he wouldn't be in " comparison / defense mode " if we did). It also told us he was up to date in the trade - in fact he brought up some new technology CT was looking into! He also said that his helmet wouldn't go down on the cheekbones like the DOC and wouldn't do as much for our son's facial assymetry. The bottom line is that we were not comfortable with this particular helmet. So, we went with the DOC band in Dallas. Our insurance paid 70%, I have to beg and appeal for the extra 10%, and have racked up travel expenses. But I know I did do the investigating and we all feel comfortable with our decision, and the results have been great. You, however, may interview the orthotist or whoever makes the helmet in your area and find that they have a lot of experience and have a great design. They can give you references, and have reasonable and sensible timelines for correction and adjustments. You know you investigated all your options, and you are better able to make an informed decision. We make the best care for the most important thing, but expense and convenience were also to be considered, but not to be the deciding factor. We will not be taking a vacation to Wisconsin to see my family this year, but I willingly gave that up to take care of my son. Most of all, you have to do what you feel is right for your family situation and your child. Only you can make that decision. I hope this helps you some. Tami > Ok, do I get a helmet at 100% paid by insurance locally or do I drive 2 1/2 hours weekly to Madison to get the DOC Band, $200 deductible and 80%. I so much like the idea of a DOC Band in the summer when hot. What do others think? Would appreciate your comments. > > Thanks > > Tammy & Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2000 Report Share Posted May 7, 2000 Tami Thanks, more good questions to ask tomorrow. I already think I have made up my mind about the doing the DOC Band and we both feel that traveling for a 5 hour round trip isn't that bad either. I have a brother in Madison so can even make some visits. Would appreciate anyone else! Thanks Tammy & Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2000 Report Share Posted May 8, 2000 Tami Just wondering about the changes in facial asy with a helmet that doesn't go down across the cheek bones. Does anyone know - won't the facial features work out as a result of the back of the head, am I wrong? I was thinking that since in our case the two halves of the skull don't match up that if they were to match up in the back, and the flat side was to round out some, would that correct the front as well. If not plmk so I can be sure to get a helmet or band that has this feature(like its a car or something LOL) but u no what I mean. - thanks Liz -----Original Message----- From: Tami Warner <twarner@...> Plagiocephalyegroups <Plagiocephalyegroups> Date: Sunday, May 07, 2000 7:09 AM Subject: Re: Tammy & , helmet or band? >Tammy and , > >Before you make your decision, try to get an appointment with the >person making the local helmet and interview them. Have him/her show >you the helmet, ask how it works, how to clean, about adjustments and >ask how much correction can be expected in ear assymetry, facial >assymetry, occipital (back of head) rounding. Ask how frequent >adjustments are made and the timeframe expected. You may already >know how the DOC works, so if you don't, call them and have those >questions answered by the DOC people as well. > >We interviewed our local orthotist (vs driving 4-1/2 hours ea. >way/flying 250 miles ~ 1 hr ea.way for the DOC band) and it was the >best thing we did to make our decision. OUR local orthotist makes >all sorts of orthotics and prosthetics and had only done 18 helmets >in 16 years and HE suggessted looking into the DOC band. Now that >told us that he didn't have a lot of experience (we never even >brought up the DOC ourselves, so he wouldn't be in " comparison / >defense mode " if we did). It also told us he was up to date in the >trade - in fact he brought up some new technology CT was looking >into! He also said that his helmet wouldn't go down on the cheekbones >like the DOC and wouldn't do as much for our son's facial assymetry. >The bottom line is that we were not comfortable with this particular >helmet. So, we went with the DOC band in Dallas. Our insurance paid >70%, I have to beg and appeal for the extra 10%, and have racked up >travel expenses. But I know I did do the investigating and we all >feel comfortable with our decision, and the results have been great. > >You, however, may interview the orthotist or whoever makes the helmet >in your area and find that they have a lot of experience and have a >great design. They can give you references, and have reasonable and >sensible timelines for correction and adjustments. You know you >investigated all your options, and you are better able to make an >informed decision. > >We make the best care for the most important thing, but expense >and convenience were also to be considered, but not to be the >deciding factor. We will not be taking a vacation to Wisconsin to >see my family this year, but I willingly gave that up to take care of >my son. Most of all, you have to do what you feel is right for your >family situation and your child. Only you can make that decision. > >I hope this helps you some. > >Tami > > > >> Ok, do I get a helmet at 100% paid by insurance locally or do I >drive 2 1/2 hours weekly to Madison to get the DOC Band, $200 >deductible and 80%. I so much like the idea of a DOC Band in the >summer when hot. What do others think? Would appreciate your >comments. >> >> Thanks >> >> Tammy & > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >You have a voice mail message waiting for you at iHello.com: >1/3555/4/_/689409/_/957708834/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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