Re: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?

[Guest guest]

I don't think there is any "rule" excluding what you pay for your services - so here goes, for our services at cranial tech in Chicago we were told to pay around $2,500 (our insurance picked up about $1800). On top of that it is a 4 hour drive (gas, food, ect...) plus my husband and I both work full time so we have to take days off to get to his appointments. So in a word our band is "expensive". I am interested to hear what others have paid as well...

From: nicolexling <nicolexling@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 7:06:39 AMSubject: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?

At least that I can see.I'm new here so maybe it all got discussed long ago and now nobodytalks about money anymore. (Though that seems unlikely.)This is a place to discuss all aspects of this problem, isn't it?Are we not allowed to discuss what each of us pays for the services wehave each contracted for?

[Guest guest]

Our insurance totally paid for my son Justice's helmet. They also pay for all transportation associated with the helmet including the trips to PT. They didnt at first though and turned down the claim. We argued it out with the help of all doctors associated with my son and won the claim. I know the cost of the helpmet was $2546.

mom to Justice 5 months---starband since 1-26-09

From: Kirsten Hany <kirsten.hany@...>Subject: Re: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?Plagiocephaly Date: Friday, February 27, 2009, 1:50 PM

I don't think there is any "rule" excluding what you pay for your services - so here goes, for our services at cranial tech in Chicago we were told to pay around $2,500 (our insurance picked up about $1800). On top of that it is a 4 hour drive (gas, food, ect...) plus my husband and I both work full time so we have to take days off to get to his appointments. So in a word our band is "expensive". I am interested to hear what others have paid as well...

From: nicolexling <nicolexling>PlagiocephalySent: Friday, February 27, 2009 7:06:39 AMSubject: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?

At least that I can see.I'm new here so maybe it all got discussed long ago and now nobodytalks about money anymore. (Though that seems unlikely.)This is a place to discuss all aspects of this problem, isn't it?Are we not allowed to discuss what each of us pays for the services wehave each contracted for?

[Guest guest]

Maysa is wearing her 2nd DOC band now and both have been covered at 100% by Kaiser Permanente. My pediatrician who still thinks that Maysa never needed a band to begin with told us that the insurance would not cover it. She was surprised the first time they covered it. The second time, they denied the claim. However, I called the doctor who denied it and explained a few things to him over the phone. I also faxed him copies of Maysa's progress and her latest scans from Orthomerica and a few days later his assistant called to let me know that it was approved.

One band here in ndale, Virginia costs either $3,300 or $3,600 depending on how you want to pay for it.

Leila

Maysa, 13 months old, week 3 in DOC band 2

http://mymaysa.files.wordpress.com--- On Fri, 2/27/09, C <cobb6family@...> wrote:

From: C <cobb6family@...>Subject: Re: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?Plagiocephaly Date: Friday, February 27, 2009, 9:00 AM

Our insurance totally paid for my son Justice's helmet. They also pay for all transportation associated with the helmet including the trips to PT. They didnt at first though and turned down the claim. We argued it out with the help of all doctors associated with my son and won the claim. I know the cost of the helpmet was $2546.

mom to Justice 5 months---starband since 1-26-09

From: Kirsten Hany <kirsten.hany>Subject: Re: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?PlagiocephalyDate: Friday, February 27, 2009, 1:50 PM

I don't think there is any "rule" excluding what you pay for your services - so here goes, for our services at cranial tech in Chicago we were told to pay around $2,500 (our insurance picked up about $1800). On top of that it is a 4 hour drive (gas, food, ect...) plus my husband and I both work full time so we have to take days off to get to his appointments. So in a word our band is "expensive". I am interested to hear what others have paid as well...

From: nicolexling <nicolexling>PlagiocephalySent: Friday, February 27, 2009 7:06:39 AMSubject: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?

At least that I can see.I'm new here so maybe it all got discussed long ago and now nobodytalks about money anymore. (Though that seems unlikely.)This is a place to discuss all aspects of this problem, isn't it?Are we not allowed to discuss what each of us pays for the services wehave each contracted for?

[Guest guest]

We were similar, paid 3300 upfront and were reimbursed 2100 from

insurance, plus drove almost 3 hours each way during the height of

gas prices. So I'm really hoping to get a write off on our taxes for

2008 (as soon as we get around to doing them). So save your

receipts!

Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

Jordan-5

>

> I don't think there is any " rule " excluding what you pay for your

services - so here goes, for our services at cranial tech in Chicago

we were told to pay around $2,500 (our insurance picked up about

$1800).  On top of that it is a 4 hour drive (gas, food, ect...)

plus my husband and I both work full time so we have to take days

off to get to his appointments.  So in a word our band

is " expensive " .  I am interested to hear what others have paid as

well...

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: nicolexling <nicolexling@...>

> Plagiocephaly

> Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 7:06:39 AM

> Subject: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?

>

>

> At least that I can see.

>

> I'm new here so maybe it all got discussed long ago and now nobody

> talks about money anymore. (Though that seems unlikely.)

>

> This is a place to discuss all aspects of this problem, isn't it?

>

> Are we not allowed to discuss what each of us pays for the

services we

> have each contracted for?

>

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry if this sounds like a rant more than anything but I feel

like it's criminal that they don't cover the bands especially since

99% of this happens as a direct result of the back to sleep

campaign. Pediatricians just indoctrinate it and act like you're god

awful if you put your child on their side or tummy and then they

shrug their shoulders when it comes to the therapy. I would just

tell the insurance that as well.

Repositioning is a full time job in my opinion and most of us work

during the day so that's not a luxury we have.

Can't the doctor say that you've tried repositioning to support your

claims? How can they prove you haven't?

Luckily for us, we have BCBS in MA and it's covered but I would

fight tooth and nail otherwise to appeal.

I was home 15 weeks with my first baby and she has a perfect head

and only had 7 weeks with my second and I know that's why he has

positional plagiocephaly. It's really easy to overlook stuff if you

have a toddler demanding your attention...

Anyway, I'm sorry for the rant. I think if you keep calling your

doctors and your insurance they will eventually get sick of you and

it might work in your favor. Good luck to everyone appealing.

[Guest guest]

We had a STARband almost three years ago and it cost $2,800 dollars.

Fortunately insurance covered 80% of it so we only had to pay $560 out of

our pockets.

Molly

Novato, California

Nicolas, 3, tort & plagio, STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/06,

Graduate!

, 6

, 9

Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?

>

>

> At least that I can see.

>

> I'm new here so maybe it all got discussed long ago and now nobody

> talks about money anymore. (Though that seems unlikely.)

>

> This is a place to discuss all aspects of this problem, isn't it?

>

> Are we not allowed to discuss what each of us pays for the

services we

> have each contracted for?

>

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

For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Ours was $3600 but we got a $300 discount for paying in one lump sum. Our insurance isn't covering a penny. We also drive 4 hours each way for treatment requiring me to drop to part time work and my hubby to take a day off each week. We consider the band expensive too, but worth every cent. 's head is looking fantastic and he only has about 5 more weeks to go, they think!

Hollymum to 8-month-old twins alex (in docband since 1/05/09) and max (no helmet necessary)On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 9:50 AM, anadashmaria <anadashmaria@...> wrote:

I'm sorry if this sounds like a rant more than anything but I feel

like it's criminal that they don't cover the bands especially since

99% of this happens as a direct result of the back to sleep

campaign. Pediatricians just indoctrinate it and act like you're god

awful if you put your child on their side or tummy and then they

shrug their shoulders when it comes to the therapy. I would just

tell the insurance that as well.

Repositioning is a full time job in my opinion and most of us work

during the day so that's not a luxury we have.

Can't the doctor say that you've tried repositioning to support your

claims? How can they prove you haven't?

Luckily for us, we have BCBS in MA and it's covered but I would

fight tooth and nail otherwise to appeal.

I was home 15 weeks with my first baby and she has a perfect head

and only had 7 weeks with my second and I know that's why he has

positional plagiocephaly. It's really easy to overlook stuff if you

have a toddler demanding your attention...

Anyway, I'm sorry for the rant. I think if you keep calling your

doctors and your insurance they will eventually get sick of you and

it might work in your favor. Good luck to everyone appealing.

[Guest guest]

We paid 2800 for our STARband. That was a discounted price for self-pay that our center (Star Cranial in Columbia, MD) offers. If we had insurance coverage, the price would have been 3500. I am in land so the cost of living is pretty high out here. I think that factors in as well. Because is older, our appointments are monthly. We do have to take time off work and the drive from work to daycare to pick her up is an hour. Then there's an additional 90 minutes from daycare to the helmet place. It's actually only an hour from our house, but the daycare is in the opposite direction.

, mom to , 18 months

14.5 weeks in STARband plus CST

land Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?At least that I can see.I'm new here so maybe it all got discussed long ago and now nobodytalks about money anymore. (Though that seems unlikely.)This is a place to discuss all aspects of this problem, isn't it?Are we not allowed to discuss what each of us pays for the services wehave each contracted for?

[Guest guest]

I know the feeling. We paid $2200 for Chloe's helmet, it had to be preapproved by medicaid which would have taken up to ten weeks. We could not wait that long, partially cause Chloe was 6 months old when we finally were able to get a referral to a specialist. My fiance has to take off from work and I miss college because the closest specialist is 2 hours away from where we live. I was happy to pay for Chloe's helmet, it is my child and I was not going to wait around for insurance to cover it.

I'm sorry if this sounds like a rant more than anything but I feel like it's criminal that they don't cover the bands especially since 99% of this happens as a direct result of the back to sleep campaign. Pediatricians just indoctrinate it and act like you're god awful if you put your child on their side or tummy and then they shrug their shoulders when it comes to the therapy. I would just tell the insurance that as well. Repositioning is a full time job in my opinion and most of us work during the day so that's not a luxury we have. Can't the doctor say that you've tried repositioning to support your claims? How can they prove you haven't? Luckily for us, we have BCBS in MA and it's covered but I would fight tooth and nail otherwise to appeal. I was home 15 weeks with my first baby and she has a perfect head and only had 7 weeks with my second and I know that's why he has

positional plagiocephaly. It's really easy to overlook stuff if you have a toddler demanding your attention... Anyway, I'm sorry for the rant. I think if you keep calling your doctors and your insurance they will eventually get sick of you and it might work in your favor. Good luck to everyone appealing.

[Guest guest]

ours was over a year ago back when CT only charged $3K.  You get a 10% discount for paying 100% up front so we paid $2700.  We were reimbursed by insurance that same week, we had to meet a $250 decudtible and then we managed to get it covered in network even though it isnt so after that we only had to pay another 20% so $490 for a total of $740 which we had in our flex spenidng account.  Then it was a 2 hr drive each way so we would have to also stop for lunch and he was still nursing, since I also had a 3 yr old at the time dh would also at times have to take off and come with us (he is salary though so only cost pto) as well as sometimes I had to get him or if he came with, a relative to drop off or pick up my other 2 kids from school.

 

So yes it took some working out and some money but it really was only 3 months long and not that bad at all.

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 8:50 AM, Kirsten Hany <kirsten.hany@...> wrote:

I don't think there is any " rule " excluding what you pay for your services - so here goes, for our services at cranial tech in Chicago we were told to pay around $2,500 (our insurance picked up about $1800).  On top of that it is a 4 hour drive (gas, food, ect...) plus my husband and I both work full time so we have to take days off to get to his appointments.  So in a word our band is " expensive " .  I am interested to hear what others have paid as well...

From: nicolexling <nicolexling@...>Plagiocephaly

Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 7:06:39 AMSubject: Why is there no mention of cost in anyone's post?

At least that I can see.I'm new here so maybe it all got discussed long ago and now nobodytalks about money anymore. (Though that seems unlikely.)This is a place to discuss all aspects of this problem, isn't it?

Are we not allowed to discuss what each of us pays for the services wehave each contracted for?

-- -household executive, maid, chef (ok thats a stretch), taxi driver, domestic engineer or, best of all, just " mommy "

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1088463/Why-time-forget-pushchair-sling-baby-sleep.htmlhttp://midscbwers.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

I think 99% is a pretty high # b/c I have talked to several other moms on the babywearing groups that have had to wear a band.  I am a sahm and I babywear and cosleep so he was not on his back or even side all that frequently nor was he in the carseat, swing, etc frequently.  But he had this from a month old or earlier so it is possible it is from in utero positioning which I have also heard on here.  Back to sleep saves lives, just pediatricians also need to make a much bigger point that they need to not overuse the swing, etc I personally think that is just as big a culprit and to use the tummy for play

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 9:50 AM, anadashmaria <anadashmaria@...> wrote:

I'm sorry if this sounds like a rant more than anything but I feel like it's criminal that they don't cover the bands especially since 99% of this happens as a direct result of the back to sleep

campaign. Pediatricians just indoctrinate it and act like you're god awful if you put your child on their side or tummy and then they shrug their shoulders when it comes to the therapy. I would just tell the insurance that as well.

Repositioning is a full time job in my opinion and most of us work during the day so that's not a luxury we have. Can't the doctor say that you've tried repositioning to support your claims? How can they prove you haven't?

Luckily for us, we have BCBS in MA and it's covered but I would fight tooth and nail otherwise to appeal. I was home 15 weeks with my first baby and she has a perfect head and only had 7 weeks with my second and I know that's why he has

positional plagiocephaly. It's really easy to overlook stuff if you have a toddler demanding your attention... Anyway, I'm sorry for the rant. I think if you keep calling your doctors and your insurance they will eventually get sick of you and

it might work in your favor. Good luck to everyone appealing.

-- -household executive, maid, chef (ok thats a stretch), taxi driver, domestic engineer or, best of all, just " mommy "

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1088463/Why-time-forget-pushchair-sling-baby-sleep.htmlhttp://midscbwers.blogspot.com/