Re: Should we change bands--Please Advise!

[Guest guest]

Hi there Rekha,

I say, " Go with your gut " !! If improvement has been minimal in 6

months, then I would personally go for the DOC band. My son was

banded at 13 months, and has rcvd wonderful correction. He graduates

in 5 days. At point of Graduation, he will have been in the band for

7 weeks and 5 days.

Is it possible for you to (if you choose to switch) to pay out of

pocket now, and then seek reimbursement once you have obtained

insurance approval and all other neccesary paperwork from doctors?

That way, there is no, or a short, lapse in banding. If I were in

your situation, that is what I would do.

It doesn't sound as if the band will do much more good, if it

hasn't already done so in 6 months. We had considered the Starband

upon learing that had Plagio, but ultimately went with CT

because of thier record and success. We felt more comfy with someone

that specialized in bands. The orthotist that we would have seen for

a Starband, had only done a handful of bands, and we did not feel

that she had enough experience to touch our son's head.

I know it's a lot of money, but what if the DOC band can do the

work in a couple months of what the Starband could not do in 6??

Best of luck with your decision. I know this is very hard to go

through. We've all ben there in one way or the other.

kelli

mommy to jacob

banded 08/19/04 - 10/12/04 (graduation day!!)

--- In Plagiocephaly , " kmomma123 " <kmomma123@y...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now 15

> month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months

now.

> He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been minimal

> and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they think

the

> back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week ago, my

> son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing and

> where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the helmet

off

> because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has since

been

> fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender. But,

> having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how flat

> the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and I

> decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he

could

> benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan of

CT

> and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med.

necessity

> to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together to

see

> if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17 months

> old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late

stage

> or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist say

> fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area and

I

> am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he should

wear

> the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but I of

> course want to do what is best for my son. Please advise, if

> possible. Thank you so much.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband)

[Guest guest]

Rekha,

Sorry for your dilema. Has he been in the same starband for 6

months? That seems like a long time. Do you have any before and now

pictures you could post? Adding foam seems counterintuitive.

Usually foam is removed as the baby grows. How much has your son's

head grown in 6 months? In terms of head circumference (the ped

measures this at all visits and the ortho should have measured it a

few times). Did CT do any measurements?

Starting the DOC band at 17 months is not too late. We've had quite

a few infants receive great correction later in the game. However,

you would want to get working on the paperwork. Your ped can write

the RX and the letter of medical necessity if needed. We have some

examples in the files section if it would help. My ped used an

example from CT for na's second band because he didn't realize

what a pain in the $%^ & insurance could be if you are not adimant.

mom to na

DOC Grad

SC

--- In Plagiocephaly , " kmomma123 " <kmomma123@y...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now 15

> month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months

now.

> He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been minimal

> and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they think

the

> back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week ago, my

> son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing and

> where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the helmet

off

> because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has since

been

> fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender. But,

> having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how flat

> the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and I

> decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he

could

> benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan of

CT

> and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med.

necessity

> to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together to

see

> if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17 months

> old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late

stage

> or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist say

> fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area and

I

> am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he should

wear

> the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but I of

> course want to do what is best for my son. Please advise, if

> possible. Thank you so much.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband)

[Guest guest]

Hi Rekha,

Welcome to the group! I would most definitely switch to a DOCband.

Do you know how much experience your ortho has? Experience is KEY

when it comes to plagio treatment. I'm not sure your ortho has any

experience in treating plagio. First of all the life of an active

band whether it be a STARband or a DOCband is 4.5 months maximum.

After 4.5 months the band loses it's pressure points. Second, never,

ever should anything other then mole skin be added to the inside of a

band. Third, Cranial Tech is an outstanding company. They do in fact

turn many parents away telling them their baby is too mild to band

and to reposition them. If the orthotist told you, your baby would

benefit from a DOCband then I think you should believe it. Can you

call your insurance company and explain to them the situation and ask

them if they can speed up the process so you can get him into a

DOCband sooner. Tell them time is of the essence!

I'm really sorry to hear you're going through this. You're not the

first parent to post to this group with this type of story. One of

our moderators, Debbie was in a very similar situation in her case

though her daughter's STARband ended up doing more harm then good to

her head. Hopefully Debbie will share her daughter's story with you.

Please keep us posted and good luck.

--- In Plagiocephaly , " kmomma123 " <kmomma123@y...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now 15

> month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months

now.

> He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been minimal

> and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they think

the

> back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week ago, my

> son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing and

> where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the helmet

off

> because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has since

been

> fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender. But,

> having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how flat

> the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and I

> decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he

could

> benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan of

CT

> and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med.

necessity

> to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together to

see

> if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17 months

> old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late

stage

> or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist say

> fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area and

I

> am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he should

wear

> the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but I of

> course want to do what is best for my son. Please advise, if

> possible. Thank you so much.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband)

[Guest guest]

Hey everyone,

I am still pretty new here- and was wondering what the general consensus is with the STARband? I am nervous reading these emails, because my daughter got casted for a STARband last week and recieves it on Monday. Is it the ortho or is it the band that is more important? We are going through Mayo Clinic and they used to fabricate their own, and had great sucess, but decided recently to go with the STARband. I am freaking out now- do you think I should cancel the STARband and go with Cranial Tech? I live in no mans land (North Dakota) and haven't the slightest where to go for a CT band. My other daughter (plagio's twin) is going to San Diego next week for Cranio (right Coronal Craniosynostosis) surgery- and the PS and NS want her banded as well- in this case the band is even more important to rule out any further surgery. What should I do???

>From: "stripes6060" <taime@...> >Reply-Plagiocephaly >Plagiocephaly >Subject: Re: Should we change bands--Please Advise! >Date: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 18:48:17 -0000 > > >Hi Rekha, >Welcome to the group! I would most definitely switch to a DOCband. >Do you know how much experience your ortho has? Experience is KEY >when it comes to plagio treatment. I'm not sure your ortho has any >experience in treating plagio. First of all the life of an active >band whether it be a STARband or a DOCband is 4.5 months maximum. >After 4.5 months the band loses it's pressure points. Second, never, >ever should anything other then mole skin be added to the inside of a >band. Third, Cranial Tech is an outstanding company. They do in fact >turn many parents away telling them their baby is too mild to band >and to reposition them. If the orthotist told you, your baby would >benefit from a DOCband then I think you should believe it. Can you >call your insurance company and explain to them the situation and ask >them if they can speed up the process so you can get him into a >DOCband sooner. Tell them time is of the essence! >I'm really sorry to hear you're going through this. You're not the >first parent to post to this group with this type of story. One of >our moderators, Debbie was in a very similar situation in her case >though her daughter's STARband ended up doing more harm then good to >her head. Hopefully Debbie will share her daughter's story with you. >Please keep us posted and good luck. > >--- In Plagiocephaly , "kmomma123" <kmomma123@y...> >wrote: > > > > Hi Everyone, > > > > I am in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now 15 > > month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months >now. > > He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been minimal > > and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they think >the > > back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week ago, my > > son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing and > > where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the helmet >off > > because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has since >been > > fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender. But, > > having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how flat > > the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and I > > decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he >could > > benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan of >CT > > and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med. >necessity > > to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together to >see > > if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17 months > > old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late >stage > > or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist say > > fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area and >I > > am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he should >wear > > the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but I of > > course want to do what is best for my son. Please advise, if > > possible. Thank you so much. > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband) > > >

[Guest guest]

Rekha,

I'm so sorry you're not seeing the correction in your son's

headshape that you had hoped. Even though he was a relatively older

baby at 11 months when he started wearing his Starband, I think you

should already have realized some noticeable correction since the

Starband is an active band. I am quite surprised to hear that he

has been in the same Starband for over 6 months, and apparently the

ortho and doctor expect him to continue to be in the same band even

longer. That seems to me to be a very long time to be in one band.

I have heard that an active band is usually good for up to about 4

months on the average, because even if there is still room in the

band for adjustments after that time, the band has lost

the " tension " or " oomph " if you will to hold onto the holding points

and redirect growth properly. Here is an FAQ from Orthomerica's own

website about how long one of their bands is expected to be used for

treatment (your son has spent about twice as long in his Starband as

the usual estimated time of efficacy):

>>-How long will the cranial remolding orthosis treatment program

last?

The average treatment program lasts between three and four months,

with younger infants typically completing treatment sooner than

older infants. Other factors such as severity of head shape,

consistency of wear, and individual growth patterns of the infant

affect the length of time for treatment. Your orthotist can best

estimate the length of time necessary for completing the treatment

program.<<

I have also read that adding foam or other things to the inside of a

band is not adviseable, but Orthomerica's website seems to state

otherwise in their product FAQ:

>>What kind of adjustments can we expect throughout the course of

the treatment program?

Cranial remolding orthoses are designed to make contact over

the " high " spots, and leave voids over the " low " spots. This

provides " directed growth " of the head. Throughout the course of the

treatment program, material (liners) may be removed to allow more

growth in targeted areas. Pads may also be added in specific areas

to further enhance the symmetrical or proportional growth of the

infant's head. In addition, the plastic material may be heated and

recontoured as the shape of the head changes. After each adjustment,

it will be important to closely monitor your infant's head to make

sure that it's adapting well to the adjustments.<<

Has your son had very little growth overall in height, weight, head

circumference over that last 6 months for some reason?

I didn't band my own daughter, but I would think if after 6 months

in an active band, your son has only seen " minimal " improvement in

his band, you should have a heart-to-heart with the ortho about

these problems, and perhaps even start to investigate going to a

DOCband for a second band. The Starband is usually only used up to

18 months of age, and it appears your son is nearly too old to start

over with a new Starband and get 4 months wear out of it.

Again, I'm so sorry about your frustration, and I wish you the best

with whatever you decide to do as far as treatment goes.

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

-- In Plagiocephaly , " kmomma123 " <kmomma123@y...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now 15

> month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months

now.

> He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been minimal

> and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they think

the

> back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week ago,

my

> son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing

and

> where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the helmet

off

> because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has since

been

> fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender. But,

> having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how flat

> the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and I

> decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he

could

> benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan of

CT

> and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med.

necessity

> to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together to

see

> if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17 months

> old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late

stage

> or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist

say

> fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area and

I

> am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he should

wear

> the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but I

of

> course want to do what is best for my son. Please advise, if

> possible. Thank you so much.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband)

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your email! I was alarmed- but you definitley don't need to apologize! I am glad that we can be open here, because we all want what is best for our little ones!! I have a feeling that the orthos at Mayo are expereinced- I know they have just switched to the Starband and are having mixed feelings about the way the helmets fit initially- and my ortho prepped me about what will happen if they don't like the fit(they will send it back and we will have to wait another few days for the new fabrication-ok by me!) so I am assuming that is a good sign, instead of putting a helmet on her that doesn't fit at all. When you say active, does that mean that it is more painful for the babies versus the passive that isn't?

Thanks again for your email!

Debbie Cami and Skylar, 5/19/04

>From: "stripes6060" <taime@...> >Reply-Plagiocephaly >Plagiocephaly >Subject: Re: Should we change bands--Please Advise! >Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2004 04:55:52 -0000 > > >Hi Debbie, >Welcome to the group. I'm sorry I alarmed you. The STARband is a good >product, IF it's used in the hands of an experienced orthotist. We >have had way more then one parent in this group use a STARband, have >an ortho without experience and everytime it's been a disaster. We've >had babies head become worse due to ill fitting STARbands. >I've heard only good things about the Mayo helmet which if I'm not >mistaken is of a passive design. Passive helmets sit on the baby's >head and eventually the baby's head will grow into the shape of the >helmet, round. They rely totally on growth. DOCbands and STARbands >are active. Active means the bands redirect the growth of the head >through gentle pressure not felt by the baby. As long as the ortho >your using has experience with Active bands, you should be ok! >I'm sure someone has already told you we have a list of questions to >ask a potential orthotist. Please keep us posted. > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Thank you , Christie, , Kelli and Debbie,

I really appreciate your thoughts regarding my son's lack of

correction after 6 months in the same Starband. He has grown well

over this time, but his head circumfrence has been the same for the

past two months in a row. Unfortunately, in the pics I have it is

very difficult to see his headshape as he has loads of wavy dark hair.

The first orhto we saw was not very good and the casting was a

nightmare. He got very frustrated bc my son was moving and threw

casting material at the wall! Now I wonder how accurate that first

mold was and I will never know bc he threw it away! I have nothing

to compare his head with now. Not even measurements, as the doc does

not take them. We switched to the most experienced ortho after that,

but still with minimal correction.

To offer an update, I spoke with the nurse for the specialist doc we

see and she says he will write a new scrip but NOT a new letter of

med necessity. He is simply not a fan of CT and wont do it. It is

so frustrating because if the insurance is to cover it, he needs to

say that after 6 months, there has been little correction and that a

new band is needed. SO I made a appt with another doc we saw back in

Feb for a second opinion and I hope she will do it, but the appt is

in a week.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to persuade an insurance co to

cover a 2nd band?

We are trying to see if we can go ahead and start the process at CT

so we wont lose time, but I do not know yet.

Thanks again to all of you.

Rekha (mom to Kathan, 15 mos)

> >

> > Hi Everyone,

> >

> > I am in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now 15

> > month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months

> now.

> > He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been

minimal

> > and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they think

> the

> > back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week ago,

> my

> > son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing

> and

> > where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the helmet

> off

> > because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has since

> been

> > fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender.

But,

> > having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how

flat

> > the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and I

> > decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he

> could

> > benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan

of

> CT

> > and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med.

> necessity

> > to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together to

> see

> > if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17 months

> > old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late

> stage

> > or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist

> say

> > fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area

and

> I

> > am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he should

> wear

> > the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but I

> of

> > course want to do what is best for my son. Please advise, if

> > possible. Thank you so much.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband)

[Guest guest]

Hi Rehka,

Any idea why your ped is so anti Cranial Tech? He must not know much

about them, as they are the best in the business. I think it is very

unprofessional of him to deny your son treatment b/c of his own

personal opinions. Do you know if he's ever even dealt with Cranial

Tech before?

If you call Cranial Tech, they can answer all of your insurance

questions. Please keep us posted.

> > >

> > > Hi Everyone,

> > >

> > > I am in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now

15

> > > month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months

> > now.

> > > He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been

> minimal

> > > and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they

think

> > the

> > > back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week

ago,

> > my

> > > son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing

> > and

> > > where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the

helmet

> > off

> > > because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has

since

> > been

> > > fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender.

> But,

> > > having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how

> flat

> > > the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and

I

> > > decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he

> > could

> > > benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan

> of

> > CT

> > > and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med.

> > necessity

> > > to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together

to

> > see

> > > if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17

months

> > > old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late

> > stage

> > > or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist

> > say

> > > fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area

> and

> > I

> > > am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he

should

> > wear

> > > the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but

I

> > of

> > > course want to do what is best for my son. Please advise, if

> > > possible. Thank you so much.

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > >

> > > Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband)

[Guest guest]

Hey- I had an idea what you might be able to do depending on your insurance plan. If there is a neruosurgeon/pediatric plastic surgeon that is in your network, why don't you take Kathan there? I am not familiar with your insurance,but you might be able to go that route. Maybe you could even ask your doctor if s/he could recommend you just to a Neurosurgeon without mentioning the banding thing again- then see what the ns/ps says- would it work if they wrote you a letter for medical necessity? If your network doctor still refused to refer you you might be able to appeal or change your network provider because they weren't serving your needs. If it went that far I would include your horrible experience and also include photos of your son-

I don't know if this will help or not- I hope it does- we are kind of going through heck with our insurance as well- and I was told to write a letter and appeal, so maybe it will work for both of us! Good luck!

Debbie (Camreon and Skylar 5months)

>From: "kmomma123" <kmomma123@...> >Reply-Plagiocephaly >Plagiocephaly >Subject: Re: Should we change bands--Please Advise! >Date: Sat, 09 Oct 2004 08:08:14 -0000 > > >Thank you , Christie, , Kelli and Debbie, > >I really appreciate your thoughts regarding my son's lack of >correction after 6 months in the same Starband. He has grown well >over this time, but his head circumfrence has been the same for the >past two months in a row. Unfortunately, in the pics I have it is >very difficult to see his headshape as he has loads of wavy dark hair. > >The first orhto we saw was not very good and the casting was a >nightmare. He got very frustrated bc my son was moving and threw >casting material at the wall! Now I wonder how accurate that first >mold was and I will never know bc he threw it away! I have nothing >to compare his head with now. Not even measurements, as the doc does >not take them. We switched to the most experienced ortho after that, >but still with minimal correction. > >To offer an update, I spoke with the nurse for the specialist doc we >see and she says he will write a new scrip but NOT a new letter of >med necessity. He is simply not a fan of CT and wont do it. It is >so frustrating because if the insurance is to cover it, he needs to >say that after 6 months, there has been little correction and that a >new band is needed. SO I made a appt with another doc we saw back in >Feb for a second opinion and I hope she will do it, but the appt is >in a week. > >Does anyone have any thoughts on how to persuade an insurance co to >cover a 2nd band? > >We are trying to see if we can go ahead and start the process at CT >so we wont lose time, but I do not know yet. > >Thanks again to all of you. > >Rekha (mom to Kathan, 15 mos) > > > > > > > > > Hi Everyone, > > > > > > I am in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now 15 > > > month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months > > now. > > > He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been >minimal > > > and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they think > > the > > > back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week ago, > > my > > > son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing > > and > > > where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the helmet > > off > > > because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has since > > been > > > fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender. >But, > > > having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how >flat > > > the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and I > > > decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he > > could > > > benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan >of > > CT > > > and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med. > > necessity > > > to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together to > > see > > > if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17 months > > > old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late > > stage > > > or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist > > say > > > fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area >and > > I > > > am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he should > > wear > > > the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but I > > of > > > course want to do what is best for my son. Please advise, if > > > possible. Thank you so much. > > > > > > Sincerely, > > > > > > Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband) > > >

[Guest guest]

Rekha,

it's usually considered continuation of treatment so should be covered at same level as first band. However, if you switch brands it may be more of an issue. Of course a good medical necessity letter will help.

mom to na

kmomma123 <kmomma123@...> wrote:

Thank you , Christie, , Kelli and Debbie,I really appreciate your thoughts regarding my son's lack of correction after 6 months in the same Starband. He has grown well over this time, but his head circumfrence has been the same for the past two months in a row. Unfortunately, in the pics I have it is very difficult to see his headshape as he has loads of wavy dark hair.The first orhto we saw was not very good and the casting was a nightmare. He got very frustrated bc my son was moving and threw casting material at the wall! Now I wonder how accurate that first mold was and I will never know bc he threw it away! I have nothing to compare his head with now. Not even measurements, as the doc does not take them. We switched to the most experienced ortho after that, but

still with minimal correction.To offer an update, I spoke with the nurse for the specialist doc we see and she says he will write a new scrip but NOT a new letter of med necessity. He is simply not a fan of CT and wont do it. It is so frustrating because if the insurance is to cover it, he needs to say that after 6 months, there has been little correction and that a new band is needed. SO I made a appt with another doc we saw back in Feb for a second opinion and I hope she will do it, but the appt is in a week.Does anyone have any thoughts on how to persuade an insurance co to cover a 2nd band?We are trying to see if we can go ahead and start the process at CT so we wont lose time, but I do not know yet.Thanks again to all of you.Rekha (mom to Kathan, 15 mos) > > > > Hi Everyone,> > > > I am

in a bit of a dilemma and I could use some help. My now 15 > > month old son has been in a Starband for a little over 6 months > now. > > He has had some correction, but unfortunately, it has been minimal > > and slow. The orthotist and doctor we see keep saying they think > the > > back of his head is rounding, but I disagree. About a week ago, > my > > son fell and hit his head right where he still has some bossing > and > > where the helmet is the tightest. I have had to keep the helmet > off > > because he developed a huge gooseegg and a bruise. He has since > been > > fighting the helmet,partly because the area is still tender. But, > > having had this time to look at his head, I keep noticing how flat > > the back of the head still is. We live in the Chicago area and I >

> decided to go to CT for a free eval and of course, they say he > could > > benefit from the DOC band. The doctor we see is not a huge fan of > CT > > and I am unsure if he would even write us a letter of med. > necessity > > to go to CT. Also, by the time we get the paperwork together to > see > > if my insurance would cover the DOC he would be almost 17 months > > old. Should I consider switching to the DOC band at this late > stage > > or should I just keep the Starband (which the doc and orthotist > say > > fits, but they keep adding pieces of foam to the forehead area and > I > > am not sure if this is normal practice). Our doc says he should > wear > > the Starband for another month or two and be done with it, but I > of > > course want to do what is best for my son. Please

advise, if > > possible. Thank you so much.> > > > Sincerely,> > > > Rekha (mom to Kathan, Starband)For more plagio info