Re: Insurance and hippotherapy

[Guest guest]

our insurance paid for 50% of erikas hippotherapy when she had it done by a

PT. it was out of network, so they only paid 50%, but it started

interferring with how much they paid her PT she gets at home so i stopped

submitting.

we also have a medicaid waiver program, but its called " care at Home " and

since it is not done in the home they would not cover it! i fought all the way

to Albany with it. explaiin gthat the horse is a modality device as is a ball

used for PT etc., still no luck,

eirka still rides as has for 6 years., but now it is called theraputic

riding, by a Special Ed teacher, and they work on donations so its only $45 a

1/2,

where as the PT chareg $70. i get some funding from the commission for the

blind. eriak so enjoys it that we have nevr stopped. she has made great

strides.

i heard that you can someteimes get AMerican Ledgions, Lions clubs etc to

fund you, i wrote letters to both and never got responses.

good luck

cathie, mom to erika 9 CHARGE

[Guest guest]

, you have asked a great question. I think insurance SHOULD pay for

things like hippotherapy. There are so many benefits! Do you have a waiver

program in Washington State that allows you to use money on therapies that

are not otherwise covered?

I just thought I would mention that as much as I love the idea of

hippotherapy, it is out of the picture for our family. I get terrible

asthma around a small number of things and horses are among the animals I

have to stay away from. Even if someone would take Kendra to hippotherapy,

assuming she doesn't also have an allergy, someone else would also have to

wash her clothes so I wouldn't be around the allergen. It makes me so sad.

Horses are just beautiful animals and I always read with envy the stories on

the list here of kids that have had such positive experiences.

Because we have this issue in our house, I am always on the lookout for

ideas of exercise that would provide some of the advantages of

hipportherapy, but without the horse. :-( Luckily, there are a few

options. A large therapy ball comes in handy to help with balance.

Watching tv while sitting on it provides a reason to have to stabilize

oneself and utilize balancing maneuvers. Or, sitting on the therapy ball

and playing with a gameboy offers similar challenges to the balance system.

Trampolines also offer some great opportunities through which one has to be

aware of one's place in space and move in ways that provide equilibrium.

One other tool we have is floating on a raft in a swimming pool, but this is

sort of difficult for Kendra as it tips so easily. But I think it has some

possibilities.

So, if there is a break in hippotherapy, perhaps one or more of these

activities could lessen the effect of lack of therapy during the interim.

But I think pursuing other funding sources for the hippotherapy, like Lions

Club, etc., or waiver programs could potentially help.

Mom to Kendra, 18, CHARGE, , 24 and Camille, 27

California

_____

From: becsterbear

Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 5:08 PM

To: CHARGE

Subject: Insurance and hippotherapy

Help! We just found out that our insurance company will no longer

cover our son's hippotherapy. Orignally our therapist billed it

without indicating it was on a pony. But due to some changes the

center is " coming clean " and asking directly if insurance will cover

hippotherapy. Many companies do not cover this. Does anyone on this

list have any good studies regarding this therapy and CHARGE kids?

Cameron has no vestibular function and we have seen great changes in

his balance since starting this therapy. If we can't convince the

insurance company to cover some of the $120/hour then we may have to

stop the weekly sessions.

Any support information will be appreciated!

Seattle, WA

Mom to Cameron almost 3, CHaRGE and 4 1/2...........