Re: Possible cause of Plagiocephaly?

[Guest guest]

Welcome!

BC/BS has paid before if the flatness was present at birth as is the case with

vacuum

delivery, multiple births or premature birth...I have heard of them paying even

under

normal circumstances. I would dig deeper on that one.

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome!

BC/BS has paid before if the flatness was present at birth as is the case with

vacuum

delivery, multiple births or premature birth...I have heard of them paying even

under

normal circumstances. I would dig deeper on that one.

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

BC/BS at least in Massachusetts covers the helmets up to $2,000

under the prostetic devise section. I called multiple times and got

that confirmed twice. A coupple of people didn't know at first, they

had to do research.

> >

> > I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My

son

> > is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> > Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

> >

> > My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a

possible

> > cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has

made

> > it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused

by a

> > traumatic delivery?

> >

> > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and

such are

> > considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of

advice?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

BC/BS at least in Massachusetts covers the helmets up to $2,000

under the prostetic devise section. I called multiple times and got

that confirmed twice. A coupple of people didn't know at first, they

had to do research.

> >

> > I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My

son

> > is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> > Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

> >

> > My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a

possible

> > cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has

made

> > it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused

by a

> > traumatic delivery?

> >

> > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and

such are

> > considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of

advice?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi! I've seen that question about the vacuum extraction once before

on this board, and it peaked my interest. I am certainly not

qualified to say that's not a cause, but I don't understand how it

would be. My first daughter was born prematurely, and a vaccum was

used. It undoubtedly saved her life, as she was rushed to the NICU

and didn't breathe on her own for 8 hours. But, 2 days later, she

developed a large swollen lump on her head. Kind of freaked us out a

little! Turned out to be fluid drawn to the area by the suction of

the vacuum. In other words, we were led to believe that, if anything,

the vaccum would result in the head " popping out " rather than

developing flatness. I'm curious to hear what others know about the

vacuum.

My premature daughter born by vacuum had no torticollis or

plagiocephaly. My second daughter, with the slighty more " normal "

birth, had both. At least some of her plagio developed inutero based

on her head shape and prenatal position, but it was made severe by her

torticollis and excellent sleeping habits (22 hours a day!) for the

first month or so.

Also, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Colorado is paying for 2 bands with

Cranial Technologies. We received full in-network benefits for an out-

of-network provider. Pre-authorization was required, as was a letter

of medical necessity (be sure to check the files and include all of

the potential medical complications of untreated plagio) and a

prescription stating " DOC Band, no substitutions " . Compared to the

stories I've read here, ours was an extremely easy process. With the

pre-authorization, they denied both claims, and made us wait almost 2

months for the check, but they finally paid the first one, and should

be paying the second one next week. I'm holding my breath until I see

the check, but with the pre-authorization they " have " to pay.

Good luck to Jack! We started our band at 6 months, and today is

graduation day! No more band as of tomorrow morning! We've seen

unbelievably excellent results. If you decide to use a band, Jack is

at a great age for great results!

Tammy

Teagan, less than 24 hours to Graduation!

na, already picking out hair accessories for her sister's band

free head!

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such

are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi! I've seen that question about the vacuum extraction once before

on this board, and it peaked my interest. I am certainly not

qualified to say that's not a cause, but I don't understand how it

would be. My first daughter was born prematurely, and a vaccum was

used. It undoubtedly saved her life, as she was rushed to the NICU

and didn't breathe on her own for 8 hours. But, 2 days later, she

developed a large swollen lump on her head. Kind of freaked us out a

little! Turned out to be fluid drawn to the area by the suction of

the vacuum. In other words, we were led to believe that, if anything,

the vaccum would result in the head " popping out " rather than

developing flatness. I'm curious to hear what others know about the

vacuum.

My premature daughter born by vacuum had no torticollis or

plagiocephaly. My second daughter, with the slighty more " normal "

birth, had both. At least some of her plagio developed inutero based

on her head shape and prenatal position, but it was made severe by her

torticollis and excellent sleeping habits (22 hours a day!) for the

first month or so.

Also, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Colorado is paying for 2 bands with

Cranial Technologies. We received full in-network benefits for an out-

of-network provider. Pre-authorization was required, as was a letter

of medical necessity (be sure to check the files and include all of

the potential medical complications of untreated plagio) and a

prescription stating " DOC Band, no substitutions " . Compared to the

stories I've read here, ours was an extremely easy process. With the

pre-authorization, they denied both claims, and made us wait almost 2

months for the check, but they finally paid the first one, and should

be paying the second one next week. I'm holding my breath until I see

the check, but with the pre-authorization they " have " to pay.

Good luck to Jack! We started our band at 6 months, and today is

graduation day! No more band as of tomorrow morning! We've seen

unbelievably excellent results. If you decide to use a band, Jack is

at a great age for great results!

Tammy

Teagan, less than 24 hours to Graduation!

na, already picking out hair accessories for her sister's band

free head!

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such

are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi! My daughter was also delivered with the " vacume " . Our ortho said

that it is not the cause but that it could have maybe pulled a muscle

in her neck on one side during delivery thus causing her to turn her

head to the opposite side. That was just a possibility though nothing

for certain.

Isabelle 7mos STARband 1/31/06

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such

are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi! My daughter was also delivered with the " vacume " . Our ortho said

that it is not the cause but that it could have maybe pulled a muscle

in her neck on one side during delivery thus causing her to turn her

head to the opposite side. That was just a possibility though nothing

for certain.

Isabelle 7mos STARband 1/31/06

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such

are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

Jack's Mom,

This is the link for BC of CA, which you might be able to use.

http://medpolicy.bluecrossca.com/policies/OR-PR/cranial_orthosis.html

There should be a similar policy under your plan.

Good luck,

Amy Posner

Mom to Ben, DOC grad 11/16

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such

are considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of

advice?

>

[Guest guest]

Jack's Mom,

This is the link for BC of CA, which you might be able to use.

http://medpolicy.bluecrossca.com/policies/OR-PR/cranial_orthosis.html

There should be a similar policy under your plan.

Good luck,

Amy Posner

Mom to Ben, DOC grad 11/16

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such

are considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of

advice?

>

[Guest guest]

fight with the insurance company, if the symetry of his head is off

enough and the doctor is saying that is is medically necessary not it

is not just for cosmetic reasons, they should cover it. good luck

just keep on them

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such

are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

fight with the insurance company, if the symetry of his head is off

enough and the doctor is saying that is is medically necessary not it

is not just for cosmetic reasons, they should cover it. good luck

just keep on them

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such

are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

My son is 6months old and is in Day 4 of his helmet.

During his birth, I had pushed for 2 1/2 hrs not

knowing he was face up and his head was banging upon

my pelvis. Therefore he was born with a

cephlahematoma and position changes did not help his

lopsided head. We are slowly adjusting to the helmet.

It seems to bother me more than him. With the next

child I will demand an ultrasound to guarantee they

are in the right position for birth.

-'s Mom

--- misquaredfbb <misquared@...> wrote:

> fight with the insurance company, if the symetry of

> his head is off

> enough and the doctor is saying that is is medically

> necessary not it

> is not just for cosmetic reasons, they should cover

> it. good luck

> just keep on them

>

>

> >

> > I'm new here and am so happy for this

> informational support. My son

> > is going to have a CT scan to determine the

> severity of his

> > Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

> >

> > My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could

> this be a possible

> > cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on

> his back has made

> > it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat

> head was caused by a

> > traumatic delivery?

> >

> > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and

> helmets and such

> are

> > considered cosmetic and therefore not covered.

> Any words of advice?

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

My son is 6months old and is in Day 4 of his helmet.

During his birth, I had pushed for 2 1/2 hrs not

knowing he was face up and his head was banging upon

my pelvis. Therefore he was born with a

cephlahematoma and position changes did not help his

lopsided head. We are slowly adjusting to the helmet.

It seems to bother me more than him. With the next

child I will demand an ultrasound to guarantee they

are in the right position for birth.

-'s Mom

--- misquaredfbb <misquared@...> wrote:

> fight with the insurance company, if the symetry of

> his head is off

> enough and the doctor is saying that is is medically

> necessary not it

> is not just for cosmetic reasons, they should cover

> it. good luck

> just keep on them

>

>

> >

> > I'm new here and am so happy for this

> informational support. My son

> > is going to have a CT scan to determine the

> severity of his

> > Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

> >

> > My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could

> this be a possible

> > cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on

> his back has made

> > it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat

> head was caused by a

> > traumatic delivery?

> >

> > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and

> helmets and such

> are

> > considered cosmetic and therefore not covered.

> Any words of advice?

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I just wanted to direct you to a document in the Files section, if you

haven't already read it. One of our moderators created a document

called " 1st step for insurance, " and it is basically a step-by-step

set of instructions on how to navigate the insurance coverage question

all the way to how to address appeals based on the nature of denial.

It includes insurance and diagnosis codes, too, if you don't know the

ones specific to plagiocephaly and cranial banding. The codes are

really invaluable when you are calling to first inquire about

covereage. Just go to the Files section, Insurance Help folder, and

scroll down to the document " 1st step for insurance. "

Please let us know if that helps!

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I just wanted to direct you to a document in the Files section, if you

haven't already read it. One of our moderators created a document

called " 1st step for insurance, " and it is basically a step-by-step

set of instructions on how to navigate the insurance coverage question

all the way to how to address appeals based on the nature of denial.

It includes insurance and diagnosis codes, too, if you don't know the

ones specific to plagiocephaly and cranial banding. The codes are

really invaluable when you are calling to first inquire about

covereage. Just go to the Files section, Insurance Help folder, and

scroll down to the document " 1st step for insurance. "

Please let us know if that helps!

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

>

> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son

> is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

>

> My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible

> cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made

> it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a

> traumatic delivery?

>

> Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such are

> considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?

>

[Guest guest]

BC/BS Illinois is covering 80% of $2000 of my son's DOC band. After

we showed medical documentation of failed repositioning therapy for

two months and of course the normal medical records and pictures and

measurements from Cranial Technologies. Keep up the fight!

> > >

> > > I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support.

My

> son

> > > is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> > > Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

> > >

> > > My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a

> possible

> > > cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has

> made

> > > it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused

> by a

> > > traumatic delivery?

> > >

> > > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and

> such are

> > > considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of

> advice?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

BC/BS Illinois is covering 80% of $2000 of my son's DOC band. After

we showed medical documentation of failed repositioning therapy for

two months and of course the normal medical records and pictures and

measurements from Cranial Technologies. Keep up the fight!

> > >

> > > I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support.

My

> son

> > > is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his

> > > Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.

> > >

> > > My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a

> possible

> > > cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has

> made

> > > it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused

> by a

> > > traumatic delivery?

> > >

> > > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and

> such are

> > > considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of

> advice?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. The vacuum extraction probably didn't cause the plagio but could have caused some neck trauma leading to tort and that lead to the plagio.

BCBS in SC is covering my daughter DOC band. My company is self insured and dictates what is covered but uses Blue Choice SC to manage it. However, cranial orthosis are not cosmetic. Here is a place to start for your appeal ...

1st step for Insurance.doc Insurance Help - where to start

na, DOC Grad Feb 04, Tort ResolvedKiersten, DOC Band 1/10/06, Tortwww.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html>> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son > is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his > Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.> > My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible > cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made > it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a > traumatic delivery?> > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such are > considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. The vacuum extraction probably didn't cause the plagio but could have caused some neck trauma leading to tort and that lead to the plagio.

BCBS in SC is covering my daughter DOC band. My company is self insured and dictates what is covered but uses Blue Choice SC to manage it. However, cranial orthosis are not cosmetic. Here is a place to start for your appeal ...

1st step for Insurance.doc Insurance Help - where to start

na, DOC Grad Feb 04, Tort ResolvedKiersten, DOC Band 1/10/06, Tortwww.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html>> I'm new here and am so happy for this informational support. My son > is going to have a CT scan to determine the severity of his > Plagiocephaly. He is 4 months old.> > My Jack was delivered vacuum extraction. Could this be a possible > cause of his flat head? I'm sure that sleeping on his back has made > it worse, but has anyone been told that a flat head was caused by a > traumatic delivery?> > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and such are > considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of advice?>

[Guest guest]

I was reading the policy and thinking wow that is very rational and

fair ... then I got to the brachy statement - ergh. So close but

still clueless.

na, DOC Grad Feb 04, Tort Resolved

Kiersten, DOC Band 1/10/06, Tort

www.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html

> >

> > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and

such

> are considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of

> advice?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I was reading the policy and thinking wow that is very rational and

fair ... then I got to the brachy statement - ergh. So close but

still clueless.

na, DOC Grad Feb 04, Tort Resolved

Kiersten, DOC Band 1/10/06, Tort

www.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html

> >

> > Also, I've spoken with Blue Cross Blue Shield and helmets and

such

> are considered cosmetic and therefore not covered. Any words of

> advice?

> >

>