RE: Re: Charlotte, NC Area, where to go?

[Guest guest]

Good luck with your new STARband. It sounds like you have done some really

good research of all your banding options. Keep us posted on how the

banding process goes.

Molly

Novato, California

Nicolas, 2.5, tort & plagio, STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/06,

Graduate!

, 5

, 8.5

Re: Charlotte, NC Area, where to go?

Thanks for all of your input, we had our visit to " Level Four " today

in Charlotte, NC where I was very pleased with the " starscanner " that

gives a much more exact number than I felt like we got with the

manual measurements. Lo & behold the number for the same measurement

done at Hanger & at CT is different still! But she was able to show

me on their computer image of my child's head how any of the numbers

could have been correct & acceptable, it is just a amatter of which

degree it is taken from. For instance, at a 35 deg angle, she was 13

mm asym, and at a 45 deg angle, it was 17mm. That made it a little

more clear to me how the other places could vary so much, but neither

be " wrong " .

I thought that all 3 places are worthwhile, I wouldn't have had such

a hard decision otherwise. But I am so relieved to have found a

place where I feel that we fit. The cost is not as high as CT, but

not as low as Hanger. My cruddy insurance will only pay $240 since

we have not yet made our deductible, so they were willing to lower

the price for us so it doesn't sting quite so much and we can make 3

payments. Cranial orthotics are not all that they do all day long

at Level Four, but they do specialize in children and the person we

will be working with DOES the helmets all day every day.

Their helmets are bulkier that CT's, but I think they're all ugly &

cumbersome (no offense, I just hate the idea all around) so what does

it matter how unattractive it is, my baby is still beautiful

underneath it! The helmets are custom fit. The person I am working

with is certified & Level Four is accredited.

Guys, I have done my research & I don't think any of you have made a

wrong decision. But if you are trying to make decisions in the

Charlotte area, I have asked every question I think that can be asked

of all of these places, feel free to contact me. I feel that we've

made the best choice for us, my daughter is only 5 months, had she

been a lot older, I may prefer CT, they seem to have more experience

with older babies. If we were in a position where we needed to do

this, but couldn't afford CT, I would have also felt comfortable at

Hanger, the therapist there seemed very competent as well.

I just placed our order for the helmet (A Starband), Rose will be

decked out in a plain white one with a pink strap come May 8th. I'm

so sad tht we're having to do this, I just hate it. I'm actually

feeling myself tear up as I think of my baby in this helmet and I

can't snuggle her as close or kiss all over her head anytime I want

to. I will be looking forward to bathtime & I hope she thanks me one

day!

- , Concord, NC

>

> I've been to Hanger in sville & saw . They measured

my daughter's head &

> told me the number was 10 (for the difference in the diagonal

across top of head) and then

> I went to Cranial Tech in Charlotte and saw Kathy and she told me

the number was 18.

> Hanger should cost us $900 and CT should cost us $3000. we are so

confused by the

> differences! We have a 3rd appointment at Level Four in Charlotte

tomorrow (quoting

> $760) where they do the starband, I think, and will get a new

measurement. Does anyone

> have opinions about the different places in this area? We have

BCBS of NC insurance. I

> WELCOME information about your experiences, esp if you have shopped

around, have used

> or decided against any of these places for any reason or if you

have the same insurance

> that I have. Thanks in advance!

> -

>

------------------------------------

For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

glad you found someplace you are comfoprtable, after treatment is over and you have a good idea of how things went maybe you can enter the info in the database, the database is really helpful for new parents coming in to be able to have a review of places. I know that is where I turned when I was looking b/c I really wanted to go someplace else b/c star and hanger were in network (and hanger was MUCH closer) so I researched them before we decided on CT, unfortunate for us the local hanger wasnt very good but if there is a star or hanger someplace that is good (and from here I have seen there are many) I think it is helpful for other parents to be able to know that is an option

On Thu, Apr 24, 2008 at 4:02 PM, southclarkson <i.marycatherine@...> wrote:

Thanks for all of your input, we had our visit to " Level Four " today in Charlotte, NC where I was very pleased with the " starscanner " that gives a much more exact number than I felt like we got with the

manual measurements. Lo & behold the number for the same measurement done at Hanger & at CT is different still! But she was able to show me on their computer image of my child's head how any of the numbers

could have been correct & acceptable, it is just a amatter of which degree it is taken from. For instance, at a 35 deg angle, she was 13 mm asym, and at a 45 deg angle, it was 17mm. That made it a little more clear to me how the other places could vary so much, but neither

be " wrong " . I thought that all 3 places are worthwhile, I wouldn't have had such a hard decision otherwise. But I am so relieved to have found a place where I feel that we fit. The cost is not as high as CT, but

not as low as Hanger. My cruddy insurance will only pay $240 since we have not yet made our deductible, so they were willing to lower the price for us so it doesn't sting quite so much and we can make 3 payments. Cranial orthotics are not all that they do all day long

at Level Four, but they do specialize in children and the person we will be working with DOES the helmets all day every day. Their helmets are bulkier that CT's, but I think they're all ugly & cumbersome (no offense, I just hate the idea all around) so what does

it matter how unattractive it is, my baby is still beautiful underneath it! The helmets are custom fit. The person I am working with is certified & Level Four is accredited. Guys, I have done my research & I don't think any of you have made a

wrong decision. But if you are trying to make decisions in the Charlotte area, I have asked every question I think that can be asked of all of these places, feel free to contact me. I feel that we've made the best choice for us, my daughter is only 5 months, had she

been a lot older, I may prefer CT, they seem to have more experience with older babies. If we were in a position where we needed to do this, but couldn't afford CT, I would have also felt comfortable at Hanger, the therapist there seemed very competent as well.

I just placed our order for the helmet (A Starband), Rose will be decked out in a plain white one with a pink strap come May 8th. I'm so sad tht we're having to do this, I just hate it. I'm actually

feeling myself tear up as I think of my baby in this helmet and I can't snuggle her as close or kiss all over her head anytime I want to. I will be looking forward to bathtime & I hope she thanks me one

day!- , Concord, NC >

> I've been to Hanger in sville & saw . They measured my daughter's head & > told me the number was 10 (for the difference in the diagonal across top of head) and then

> I went to Cranial Tech in Charlotte and saw Kathy and she told me the number was 18. > Hanger should cost us $900 and CT should cost us $3000. we are so confused by the > differences! We have a 3rd appointment at Level Four in Charlotte

tomorrow (quoting > $760) where they do the starband, I think, and will get a new measurement. Does anyone > have opinions about the different places in this area? We have BCBS of NC insurance. I

> WELCOME information about your experiences, esp if you have shopped around, have used > or decided against any of these places for any reason or if you have the same insurance > that I have. Thanks in advance!

> - >

-- SC SAHM to , , , , and what should we name our baby girl?

http://www.babynames.com/namelist/9614412

[Guest guest]

Thanks, your supportive words are very helpful. I think my 2 yr old will probably like putting stickers on it...I can see Dora & Boots taking it over already! Thanks again, it's nice to know others struggle with learning to love what this band will do for her & not what it takes away. Concord, NC 28025i.marycatherine@...Sweet baby feet! On Apr 25, 2008, at 12:47 AM, christineashok wrote:Hi ,I'm glad that you found a place you are comfortable with. My daughteralso wore a starband. She had one of the patterns, but I also putstickers on it sometimes when I got bored of it. I cried when she gother head scanned for the band, but that was the worst of it. Afterthat I just worked on accepting it, and in the end it really wasn'tthat big a deal. my Brother in law & his wife thought we were nuts todo this to our kid, but honestly I don't approve of all their choiceseither, so it didn't bother me. Also within 2 weeks there was a bigchange in her head, so I knew we made the right decision. Plus with the name Rose you can make her band so personalized with hername and lots of roses. I hope it goes smoothly and quickly. One wordof advice is to pretend you love the band, since it will make iteasier for Rose to adjust to it. sometimes kids pick up on ournegative feelings.-christinesydney 2 yrs starband grad> >> > I've been to Hanger in sville & saw . They measured > my daughter's head & > > told me the number was 10 (for the difference in the diagonal > across top of head) and then > > I went to Cranial Tech in Charlotte and saw Kathy and she told me > the number was 18. > > Hanger should cost us $900 and CT should cost us $3000. we are so > confused by the > > differences! We have a 3rd appointment at Level Four in Charlotte > tomorrow (quoting > > $760) where they do the starband, I think, and will get a new > measurement. Does anyone > > have opinions about the different places in this area? We have > BCBS of NC insurance. I > > WELCOME information about your experiences, esp if you have shopped > around, have used > > or decided against any of these places for any reason or if you > have the same insurance > > that I have. Thanks in advance!> > - > >>

[Guest guest]

We also go to CT in Charlotte. They are great. We see .

Staci

-----Original Message-----From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocephaly ]On Behalf Of Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 10:58 PMPlagiocephaly Subject: Re: Charlotte, NC Area, where to go?

We also go to CT in Charlotte. Our pediatrician recommended them and we have had wonderful results in just 3 weeks. We see Kathy at CT and she is awesome.Good luck in your decision.Jenn>> I've been to Hanger in sville & saw . They measured my daughter's head & > told me the number was 10 (for the difference in the diagonal across top of head) and then > I went to Cranial Tech in Charlotte and saw Kathy and she told me the number was 18. > Hanger should cost us $900 and CT should cost us $3000. we are so confused by the > differences! We have a 3rd appointment at Level Four in Charlotte tomorrow (quoting > $760) where they do the starband, I think, and will get a new measurement. Does anyone > have opinions about the different places in this area? We have BCBS of NC insurance. I > WELCOME information about your experiences, esp if you have shopped around, have used > or decided against any of these places for any reason or if you have the same insurance > that I have. Thanks in advance!> - >

[Guest guest]

I am from Charlotte and my son is in his 2nd DOC band with CT. He started with 20 mm of asymmetry and after the first band was down to 9. I think he will be down to a 2 or 3 after treatment with the 2nd band. The results and improvement have been amazing. They are great to work with. I highly recommend their office.

Our insurance is BCBS of CA (even though we live in SC...on NC/SC border). BCBS paid for $1800 of both helmets. We ended up paying $2400 total out of pocket for two. I have heard that BCBS pays about $600 on the DOC band? Anyway, good luck in your decision!

Staci

-----Original Message-----From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocephaly ]On Behalf Of kimburkemurraySent: Friday, May 02, 2008 7:11 AMPlagiocephaly Subject: Re: Charlotte, NC Area, where to go?

We are also in Charlotte and just beginning the process with our daughter. I have appointments with both Cranial Tech and Hanger next week. We are in the same insurance situation...BCBS with the same coverages. How have things gone for you at CT, Hanger and Level Four? Thanks!Kim MurrayCharlotte, NC>> I've been to Hanger in sville & saw . They measured my daughter's head & > told me the number was 10 (for the difference in the diagonal across top of head) and then > I went to Cranial Tech in Charlotte and saw Kathy and she told me the number was 18. > Hanger should cost us $900 and CT should cost us $3000. we are so confused by the > differences! We have a 3rd appointment at Level Four in Charlotte tomorrow (quoting > $760) where they do the starband, I think, and will get a new measurement. Does anyone > have opinions about the different places in this area? We have BCBS of NC insurance. I > WELCOME information about your experiences, esp if you have shopped around, have used > or decided against any of these places for any reason or if you have the same insurance > that I have. Thanks in advance!> - >

[Guest guest]

I have a friend who lives in BridgeHampton. We are in Tega Cay. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. CT is in-network in CA for BCBS, but out of network in every other state (from what I am told).

I think we are lucky to have a CT in the area, especially since the bands are all the do. Many people have to drive or even fly to CT's across the country to be fitted and make adjustments. I personally feel they are experts in the field. However; I don't know much about the other providers. I'm sure most of it has to do with the experience of the orthotist.

Please let me know what questions I can answer. Talk to you soon.

-----Original Message-----From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocephaly ]On Behalf Of kimburkemurraySent: Friday, May 02, 2008 7:41 AMPlagiocephaly Subject: Re: Charlotte, NC Area, where to go?

Thanks! We are also on the NC/SC border (actually in SC)-BridgeHampton neighborhood. Would love to pick your brain some more on your experiences. Interestingly, BCBS told us NOT to go through CT though I can't see why it matters to them. I'm going to add Level Four to my search and hopefully make a decision next week and get this babe banded by the end of may. Poor thing...banded through the hot carolina summer!> >> > I've been to Hanger in sville & saw . They measured> my daughter's head & > > told me the number was 10 (for the difference in the diagonal> across top of head) and then> > I went to Cranial Tech in Charlotte and saw Kathy and she told me> the number was 18.> > Hanger should cost us $900 and CT should cost us $3000. we are so> confused by the> > differences! We have a 3rd appointment at Level Four in Charlotte> tomorrow (quoting> > $760) where they do the starband, I think, and will get a new> measurement. Does anyone> > have opinions about the different places in this area? We have> BCBS of NC insurance. I> > WELCOME information about your experiences, esp if you have shopped> around, have used> > or decided against any of these places for any reason or if you> have the same insurance> > that I have. Thanks in advance!> > - > >>