Re: To band or not to band-Quinn

[Guest guest]

Hi Tricia,

Very hard decision to make! First off, I've never heard of it taking

60-90 days for a predetermination. Call your insurance company and

ask them how long a predetermination letter of benefits takes to be

processed. Usually it is 2-6 weeks.

Now, whether or not to go forward with treatment. That is up to you

to decide. When you look at Quinn do you feel like he NEEDS it? If

his head doesn't change on its own would you still be pleased with

the outcome? What is your " gut " feeling? Only you can decide what

is best for your family. Our group will support you either way.

Good luck with your decision.

Natasha

--- In Plagiocephaly , " trixieb26 " <beamanfamily@e...>

wrote:

> Well, we took Quinn to the plastic surgeon today and he basically

> said there are three categories of plagiocephaly, severe, moderate

> and mild. He then preceeded to say that Quinn is on the low end of

> moderate and that it is basically up to us to decide if we want to

> get him a helmet. He did write us a prescription and gave us the

> card for Hanger Prosthetics where he would get a STARband. As soon

> as we left the appt. we called Hanger and they said that it takes

60-

> 90 days to get a response from the insurance company!!! So if we

> want to do something sooner than that, we would have to pay the

> $2500 and hope that we get it covered which is probably unlikely.

> AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! What do we do? We are now struggling with

> the decision of whether to go through with this, and whether to do

> it now or wait for the insurance or just forget it altogether. We

> would love for someone to just tell us to do it but I guess that

> would be the easy route. What do you all think? We need some

> support on this one. Thank you all so much.

>

> Tricia

[Guest guest]

Hi Tricia,

Welcome! Boy it is a hard decision. I know we struggled with it as

well. I agree with the others that have responded so far. Go with

your gut feeling. I found it helpful when I thought many years down

the road. If we could do something now to help reshape her skull, and

she wouldn't remember, than we'd be better off in the long run. I

pray everyday we made the right decision as my daughter is now in her

3rd week with the DOC band. As for the insurance and cost...I also

think that seems like a long time; Unfortunately for us we were

denied within days as it was deemed " cosmetic " . As of yet I haven't

got the " fight " in me to appeal. We put the cost on a rewards credit

card! I'm not sure how old Quinn is, but if it truly takes 60-90

days, I personally wouldn't want to wait that long. If you decide to

band I would encourage you to get started and than deal with

insurance, if able.

Good luck with your decision!

Laurie (mom of - DOC band 8/04)

--- In Plagiocephaly , " trixieb26 " <beamanfamily@e...>

wrote:

> Well, we took Quinn to the plastic surgeon today and he basically

> said there are three categories of plagiocephaly, severe, moderate

> and mild. He then preceeded to say that Quinn is on the low end of

> moderate and that it is basically up to us to decide if we want to

> get him a helmet. He did write us a prescription and gave us the

> card for Hanger Prosthetics where he would get a STARband. As soon

> as we left the appt. we called Hanger and they said that it takes

60-

> 90 days to get a response from the insurance company!!! So if we

> want to do something sooner than that, we would have to pay the

> $2500 and hope that we get it covered which is probably unlikely.

> AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! What do we do? We are now struggling with

> the decision of whether to go through with this, and whether to do

> it now or wait for the insurance or just forget it altogether. We

> would love for someone to just tell us to do it but I guess that

> would be the easy route. What do you all think? We need some

> support on this one. Thank you all so much.

>

> Tricia

[Guest guest]

Hi Tricia,

That it probably an exaggerated amount of time! It shouldn't take

that long. That said, I'd get on starting it right away, whether

you band or not, so at least the option is there. Next, you really

need to think in terms of if Quinn's head never improves from how it

is now, would you be completely happy? If not, go w/the band. If I

were you and my baby was moderate (even on the lesser side), I'd go

for it. Let us know what you decide.

, mom to Hannah, DOCgrad 7/29

Cape Cod, Ma

> Well, we took Quinn to the plastic surgeon today and he basically

> said there are three categories of plagiocephaly, severe, moderate

> and mild. He then preceeded to say that Quinn is on the low end

of

> moderate and that it is basically up to us to decide if we want to

> get him a helmet. He did write us a prescription and gave us the

> card for Hanger Prosthetics where he would get a STARband. As

soon

> as we left the appt. we called Hanger and they said that it takes

60-

> 90 days to get a response from the insurance company!!! So if we

> want to do something sooner than that, we would have to pay the

> $2500 and hope that we get it covered which is probably unlikely.

> AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! What do we do? We are now struggling

with

> the decision of whether to go through with this, and whether to do

> it now or wait for the insurance or just forget it altogether. We

> would love for someone to just tell us to do it but I guess that

> would be the easy route. What do you all think? We need some

> support on this one. Thank you all so much.

>

> Tricia

[Guest guest]

Tricia!

I feel your pain!! and the others answered you so well. I'm not

quite as eloquent but this is what we decided:

We were right there with your dilemma a few months ago. Colin (F.)

was probably considerate moderate at 9 mos. old and the ped neurosurg

said it would round out in a few yrs. but probably still have some

remaining flatness (that would be covered by hair). He said that the

helmet would help it round out sooner. I asked for the prescrip.

even though ins. denied it (in only 24-48 hrs so I think 60-90 days

is not accurate). We made the decision to get it irregardless of

ins. paying (it was $2,800 for helmet,scans & wkly visits 1 hr.

away). We wanted to ensure that it did round out some before he was

12 mos. old so we charged it on our Discover. However, I knew that I

had 50% DME rider so I fought the denial and after an internal appeal

mtg that I had to attend I won and rec'd a check for half of the cost

($1,400). So we are still apying off the other $1,400 but I do not

regret it for a second. (see Colin F. pics to maybe compare to Quinn?)

I'm sorry that this is so hard. No one can really tell you what to do

nor do any of us know what our children's heads would've looked like

in the future without helmet therapy. I just did not want to have

any regrets or " what ifs " . GOOD LUCK TAKE CARE & let us know after

you have another heart-to-heart with your husband.

Sue

Colin F. 11 mos, brachy & rt plagio

STARband 6/29 (10 wks)

Buffalo, NY

--- In Plagiocephaly , " trixieb26 " <beamanfamily@e...>

wrote:

> Well, we took Quinn to the plastic surgeon today and he basically

> said there are three categories of plagiocephaly, severe, moderate

> and mild. He then preceeded to say that Quinn is on the low end of

> moderate and that it is basically up to us to decide if we want to

> get him a helmet. He did write us a prescription and gave us the

> card for Hanger Prosthetics where he would get a STARband. As soon

> as we left the appt. we called Hanger and they said that it takes

60-

> 90 days to get a response from the insurance company!!! So if we

> want to do something sooner than that, we would have to pay the

> $2500 and hope that we get it covered which is probably unlikely.

> AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! What do we do? We are now struggling with

> the decision of whether to go through with this, and whether to do

> it now or wait for the insurance or just forget it altogether. We

> would love for someone to just tell us to do it but I guess that

> would be the easy route. What do you all think? We need some

> support on this one. Thank you all so much.

>

> Tricia