Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 Hello. My name is Talara Hamlin and my son, Pierson, was fitted with the DOC about 1 week prior to his 1st birthday. We live in the Dallas metroplex and was referred to DOC by Children's Medical Center in Dallas as this is there preferred provider with cranial molding. We began the insurance fight with UHC and received a denial letter due to " out of network provider " and they stated that there is an adequte number of in-network providers who can render the " same service " . Furthermore, they referred us to the STAR as they are in- network and our policy would cover 100%. I am not intending to offend anyone because I realize that this site includes multiple brands of molding helmets. However, at this time I am trying to collect as much info as I can which supports our decision to use DOC as well as proves that they are not the " same service " . I have printed off many reseach articles re: DOC as well as have the approx numbers of castings performed by DOC vs STAR vs HANGER in Dallas and the results are very clear to me!!!! I am also including that Children's Medical Center in Dallas is a top 25 children's hospital in the US and that DOC is preferred by the physical medicine and orthotics division. I was told that there was some info on the internet which described a situation where a child developed a cranial fracture when utilizing STAR and would love to include this info. If anyone can be of any further assistance I would appreciate your input. God's peace to our babies!!! Talara Hamlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 Hello. My name is Talara Hamlin and my son, Pierson, was fitted with the DOC about 1 week prior to his 1st birthday. We live in the Dallas metroplex and was referred to DOC by Children's Medical Center in Dallas as this is there preferred provider with cranial molding. We began the insurance fight with UHC and received a denial letter due to " out of network provider " and they stated that there is an adequte number of in-network providers who can render the " same service " . Furthermore, they referred us to the STAR as they are in- network and our policy would cover 100%. I am not intending to offend anyone because I realize that this site includes multiple brands of molding helmets. However, at this time I am trying to collect as much info as I can which supports our decision to use DOC as well as proves that they are not the " same service " . I have printed off many reseach articles re: DOC as well as have the approx numbers of castings performed by DOC vs STAR vs HANGER in Dallas and the results are very clear to me!!!! I am also including that Children's Medical Center in Dallas is a top 25 children's hospital in the US and that DOC is preferred by the physical medicine and orthotics division. I was told that there was some info on the internet which described a situation where a child developed a cranial fracture when utilizing STAR and would love to include this info. If anyone can be of any further assistance I would appreciate your input. God's peace to our babies!!! Talara Hamlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 I would ask the referring dr at Children's to write a letter of medical necessity and include why he prefers DOC over STAR. I'm not sure how you could include this but we have had a number of children's whose heads were made worse by a STARband but those have been linked to a few sporadic orthos. Check out this document. 1st step for Insurance.doc Good luck. na, DOC Grad X2, Feb 04, Tort ResolvedKiersten, DOC Band, 1/10/06, Tortwww.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html>> Hello. My name is Talara Hamlin and my son, Pierson, was fitted with > the DOC about 1 week prior to his 1st birthday. We live in the > Dallas metroplex and was referred to DOC by Children's Medical Center > in Dallas as this is there preferred provider with cranial molding. > We began the insurance fight with UHC and received a denial letter > due to "out of network provider" and they stated that there is an > adequte number of in-network providers who can render the "same > service". Furthermore, they referred us to the STAR as they are in-> network and our policy would cover 100%. I am not intending to > offend anyone because I realize that this site includes multiple > brands of molding helmets. However, at this time I am trying to > collect as much info as I can which supports our decision to use DOC > as well as proves that they are not the "same service". I have > printed off many reseach articles re: DOC as well as have the approx > numbers of castings performed by DOC vs STAR vs HANGER in Dallas and > the results are very clear to me!!!! I am also including that > Children's Medical Center in Dallas is a top 25 children's hospital > in the US and that DOC is preferred by the physical medicine and > orthotics division. I was told that there was some info on the > internet which described a situation where a child developed a > cranial fracture when utilizing STAR and would love to include this > info. If anyone can be of any further assistance I would appreciate > your input. God's peace to our babies!!! Talara Hamlin> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 I would ask the referring dr at Children's to write a letter of medical necessity and include why he prefers DOC over STAR. I'm not sure how you could include this but we have had a number of children's whose heads were made worse by a STARband but those have been linked to a few sporadic orthos. Check out this document. 1st step for Insurance.doc Good luck. na, DOC Grad X2, Feb 04, Tort ResolvedKiersten, DOC Band, 1/10/06, Tortwww.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html>> Hello. My name is Talara Hamlin and my son, Pierson, was fitted with > the DOC about 1 week prior to his 1st birthday. We live in the > Dallas metroplex and was referred to DOC by Children's Medical Center > in Dallas as this is there preferred provider with cranial molding. > We began the insurance fight with UHC and received a denial letter > due to "out of network provider" and they stated that there is an > adequte number of in-network providers who can render the "same > service". Furthermore, they referred us to the STAR as they are in-> network and our policy would cover 100%. I am not intending to > offend anyone because I realize that this site includes multiple > brands of molding helmets. However, at this time I am trying to > collect as much info as I can which supports our decision to use DOC > as well as proves that they are not the "same service". I have > printed off many reseach articles re: DOC as well as have the approx > numbers of castings performed by DOC vs STAR vs HANGER in Dallas and > the results are very clear to me!!!! I am also including that > Children's Medical Center in Dallas is a top 25 children's hospital > in the US and that DOC is preferred by the physical medicine and > orthotics division. I was told that there was some info on the > internet which described a situation where a child developed a > cranial fracture when utilizing STAR and would love to include this > info. If anyone can be of any further assistance I would appreciate > your input. God's peace to our babies!!! Talara Hamlin> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 I am currently appealing in network coverage also. I printed up a lot of posts on her of ill fitting bands. I also printed up the pictures of a STAR and a DOC Band made for the same baby. I think they are in the files section. And I printed pictures of ill fitting helmets also. You may want to check out Plagiocephaly/message/132746 since she was in Dallas. Good luck! Mom to Dane (4 yo) and Cece (14 mo) DOC Grads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 I am currently appealing in network coverage also. I printed up a lot of posts on her of ill fitting bands. I also printed up the pictures of a STAR and a DOC Band made for the same baby. I think they are in the files section. And I printed pictures of ill fitting helmets also. You may want to check out Plagiocephaly/message/132746 since she was in Dallas. Good luck! Mom to Dane (4 yo) and Cece (14 mo) DOC Grads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 I also went through Childrens (Dr Hobar) in Dallas. He has very strong feelings about Starbands and DOC bands, to say the least. My insurance at the time considered Starband the in-network provider (we live in Tulsa, OK) We tried to appeal and Dr Hobar's office helped a great deal; however, in the end we had to pay out-of-network. In addition to the overall quality issues, we argued on the grounds that CT had more experience treating scaphy. The problem is that any documentation you come up with, the Starband people can counter. Because they have a large population of people they have treated, it is difficult to prove there is a huge difference. I believe one of the more dramatic Starband stories is from Dusty (, I think) She was one of the moderators when we were banded. I believe she lives in the Dallas area and may have also gone through Hobar. I *think* I remember that. I believe she is the one you are looking for. I rarely check the boards anymore, but ask one of the old-timers and they will be able to give you some contact info. Our helmet days seem such a distant memory! Good luck! Blythe DOC (bi-cal for scaphy and side opening 4-9 mo) --- In Plagiocephaly , " mhthswiss " <mhthswiss@...> wrote: > > Hello. My name is Talara Hamlin and my son, Pierson, was fitted with > the DOC about 1 week prior to his 1st birthday. We live in the > Dallas metroplex and was referred to DOC by Children's Medical Center > in Dallas as this is there preferred provider with cranial molding. > We began the insurance fight with UHC and received a denial letter > due to " out of network provider " and they stated that there is an > adequte number of in-network providers who can render the " same > service " . Furthermore, they referred us to the STAR as they are in- > network and our policy would cover 100%. I am not intending to > offend anyone because I realize that this site includes multiple > brands of molding helmets. However, at this time I am trying to > collect as much info as I can which supports our decision to use DOC > as well as proves that they are not the " same service " . I have > printed off many reseach articles re: DOC as well as have the approx > numbers of castings performed by DOC vs STAR vs HANGER in Dallas and > the results are very clear to me!!!! I am also including that > Children's Medical Center in Dallas is a top 25 children's hospital > in the US and that DOC is preferred by the physical medicine and > orthotics division. I was told that there was some info on the > internet which described a situation where a child developed a > cranial fracture when utilizing STAR and would love to include this > info. If anyone can be of any further assistance I would appreciate > your input. God's peace to our babies!!! Talara Hamlin > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 I also went through Childrens (Dr Hobar) in Dallas. He has very strong feelings about Starbands and DOC bands, to say the least. My insurance at the time considered Starband the in-network provider (we live in Tulsa, OK) We tried to appeal and Dr Hobar's office helped a great deal; however, in the end we had to pay out-of-network. In addition to the overall quality issues, we argued on the grounds that CT had more experience treating scaphy. The problem is that any documentation you come up with, the Starband people can counter. Because they have a large population of people they have treated, it is difficult to prove there is a huge difference. I believe one of the more dramatic Starband stories is from Dusty (, I think) She was one of the moderators when we were banded. I believe she lives in the Dallas area and may have also gone through Hobar. I *think* I remember that. I believe she is the one you are looking for. I rarely check the boards anymore, but ask one of the old-timers and they will be able to give you some contact info. Our helmet days seem such a distant memory! Good luck! Blythe DOC (bi-cal for scaphy and side opening 4-9 mo) --- In Plagiocephaly , " mhthswiss " <mhthswiss@...> wrote: > > Hello. My name is Talara Hamlin and my son, Pierson, was fitted with > the DOC about 1 week prior to his 1st birthday. We live in the > Dallas metroplex and was referred to DOC by Children's Medical Center > in Dallas as this is there preferred provider with cranial molding. > We began the insurance fight with UHC and received a denial letter > due to " out of network provider " and they stated that there is an > adequte number of in-network providers who can render the " same > service " . Furthermore, they referred us to the STAR as they are in- > network and our policy would cover 100%. I am not intending to > offend anyone because I realize that this site includes multiple > brands of molding helmets. However, at this time I am trying to > collect as much info as I can which supports our decision to use DOC > as well as proves that they are not the " same service " . I have > printed off many reseach articles re: DOC as well as have the approx > numbers of castings performed by DOC vs STAR vs HANGER in Dallas and > the results are very clear to me!!!! I am also including that > Children's Medical Center in Dallas is a top 25 children's hospital > in the US and that DOC is preferred by the physical medicine and > orthotics division. I was told that there was some info on the > internet which described a situation where a child developed a > cranial fracture when utilizing STAR and would love to include this > info. If anyone can be of any further assistance I would appreciate > your input. God's peace to our babies!!! Talara Hamlin > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Talara, We have 2 moderators who can share info with you. I'll forward your post to them. Good luck with your insurance company. Keep us posted. -- In Plagiocephaly , " mhthswiss " <mhthswiss@...> wrote: > > Hello. This is Talara Hamlin again from Dallas re: fighting with UHC > due to denial of DOC for out of network benefits. I have been unable > to post any messages since my original message as I was having trouble > with my email address. That appears to be fixed now. Thanks to all > who responded to my original message. Here is my next > request............ CAN ANYONE PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY HORROR > STORIES RE: USAGE OF STAR AND/OR HANGER BANDS? I AM FIGHTING SO HARD > FOR INSURANCE APPROVAL AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED SPECIFIC HORROR > STORIES!!!! CAN ANYONE HELP ME WHO MAY HAVE HAD ISSUES OR WHO MAY > HAVE SWITCHED TO THE DOC DUE TO ISSUES WITH OTHER BRANDS!!! Thanks so > much again for your assistance and please no offence to the > STAR/HANGER users. Talara, mother of Pierson 13 months > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Talara, We have 2 moderators who can share info with you. I'll forward your post to them. Good luck with your insurance company. Keep us posted. -- In Plagiocephaly , " mhthswiss " <mhthswiss@...> wrote: > > Hello. This is Talara Hamlin again from Dallas re: fighting with UHC > due to denial of DOC for out of network benefits. I have been unable > to post any messages since my original message as I was having trouble > with my email address. That appears to be fixed now. Thanks to all > who responded to my original message. Here is my next > request............ CAN ANYONE PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY HORROR > STORIES RE: USAGE OF STAR AND/OR HANGER BANDS? I AM FIGHTING SO HARD > FOR INSURANCE APPROVAL AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED SPECIFIC HORROR > STORIES!!!! CAN ANYONE HELP ME WHO MAY HAVE HAD ISSUES OR WHO MAY > HAVE SWITCHED TO THE DOC DUE TO ISSUES WITH OTHER BRANDS!!! Thanks so > much again for your assistance and please no offence to the > STAR/HANGER users. Talara, mother of Pierson 13 months > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Talara, Hello again,lol. I am sure any of the parents that have had issues will be contacting you by email so they can provide full details for you. I hope you get the help you need. CAROLG > > Hello. This is Talara Hamlin again from Dallas re: fighting with UHC > due to denial of DOC for out of network benefits. I have been unable > to post any messages since my original message as I was having trouble > with my email address. That appears to be fixed now. Thanks to all > who responded to my original message. Here is my next > request............ CAN ANYONE PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY HORROR > STORIES RE: USAGE OF STAR AND/OR HANGER BANDS? I AM FIGHTING SO HARD > FOR INSURANCE APPROVAL AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED SPECIFIC HORROR > STORIES!!!! CAN ANYONE HELP ME WHO MAY HAVE HAD ISSUES OR WHO MAY > HAVE SWITCHED TO THE DOC DUE TO ISSUES WITH OTHER BRANDS!!! Thanks so > much again for your assistance and please no offence to the > STAR/HANGER users. Talara, mother of Pierson 13 months > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Talara, Hello again,lol. I am sure any of the parents that have had issues will be contacting you by email so they can provide full details for you. I hope you get the help you need. CAROLG > > Hello. This is Talara Hamlin again from Dallas re: fighting with UHC > due to denial of DOC for out of network benefits. I have been unable > to post any messages since my original message as I was having trouble > with my email address. That appears to be fixed now. Thanks to all > who responded to my original message. Here is my next > request............ CAN ANYONE PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY HORROR > STORIES RE: USAGE OF STAR AND/OR HANGER BANDS? I AM FIGHTING SO HARD > FOR INSURANCE APPROVAL AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED SPECIFIC HORROR > STORIES!!!! CAN ANYONE HELP ME WHO MAY HAVE HAD ISSUES OR WHO MAY > HAVE SWITCHED TO THE DOC DUE TO ISSUES WITH OTHER BRANDS!!! Thanks so > much again for your assistance and please no offence to the > STAR/HANGER users. Talara, mother of Pierson 13 months > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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