Re: Hanger vs. Cranial Technologies

[Guest guest]

My insurance company would pay all for hanger and only half for CT. I am a pediatric nurse and I have dealt with Hanger before with my patients... it is state run and there are literally bugs on the floor, at least the one here in AZ. I have never liked the facility and I would never ever take my child there. I have researched both and have seen that Hanger takes longer in their treatment, their helmets are much bulkier and the therapists are not certified for this treatment. Hanger has one certified therapist that over sees all the other therapists. CT has every therapist certified and let me tell ya, even though I had to pay 1400 for it I have never regretted it. My sons head was back to normal by the 2nd month. I loved the facility and equipment. Im not saying that Hanger doesnt ever work bc otherwise they

wouldnt be in business now, Im just saying for us CT was the right choice. Good luck, I know how stressful it is!From: luvamotor <luvamotor@...>Subject: Hanger vs. Cranial TechnologiesPlagiocephaly Date: Monday, October 18, 2010, 12:46 PM

Hi Everyone,

So glad I have found this group! My son is 4 months old and has been diagnosed with plagio and brachy. At 3 1/2 months, my pediatrician said he would give him until his 4 month well-check and then would be referring him to Cranial Technologies if he didn't see significant improvement. Being the Type A mommy that I am, I went ahead and did his consult at CT since it was free. I had a great experience there - they are the ones that diagnosed him and said that at his age, treatment with a DOC band should only take 6-10 weeks. Of course, AFTER the fact I find out that CT is not in my HMO insurance's network, and they did not approve the referral. They are sending me to Hanger, and I have an appointment with them this afternoon. I have been reading as much as I can online (this group, Babycenter.com, etc.), and am really starting to feel that a lot of parents believe that the Hanger helmet and treatment experience is far inferior to CT. Of course I

want only what is best for my son, and I am new to all of this, so I would appreciate any input from those of you who have gone to both Hanger and CT. What was your experience like and what made you choose one facility over the other? Thanks so much!

[Guest guest]

Hello,If you would provide info. on the area where you are seeking treatment, posters could provide you with the details of their experience. Posters have reported good results with both providers. What matters most is the skill of the orthotist who actually makes the helmet and is making the adjustments. Do your research and then decide what's best for your child. Perhaps, you will get some feedback from posters specific to your area. That would be much more helpful to you than just comparing brands.Good luck!-AmyFrom: luvamotor <luvamotor@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Mon, October 18, 2010 3:46:34 PMSubject: Hanger vs. Cranial Technologies

Hi Everyone,

So glad I have found this group! My son is 4 months old and has been diagnosed with plagio and brachy. At 3 1/2 months, my pediatrician said he would give him until his 4 month well-check and then would be referring him to Cranial Technologies if he didn't see significant improvement. Being the Type A mommy that I am, I went ahead and did his consult at CT since it was free. I had a great experience there - they are the ones that diagnosed him and said that at his age, treatment with a DOC band should only take 6-10 weeks. Of course, AFTER the fact I find out that CT is not in my HMO insurance's network, and they did not approve the referral. They are sending me to Hanger, and I have an appointment with them this afternoon. I have been reading as much as I can online (this group, Babycenter.com, etc.), and am really starting to feel that a lot of parents believe that the Hanger helmet and

treatment experience is far inferior to CT. Of course I want only what is best for my son, and I am new to all of this, so I would appreciate any input from those of you who have gone to both Hanger and CT. What was your experience like and what made you choose one facility over the other? Thanks so much!

[Guest guest]

Sorry for not mentioning my area.....CT in Pasadena and Hanger in Santa Clarita.

I went to Hanger for a consult this afternoon and now I am even more confused.

They are telling me my son will be in the helmet for 3-6 months, vs. CT's

prediction of 6-10 weeks in the DOC band. The orthocist also said that because

my son is such a big baby, he predicts that it is likely he will need a second

helmet because he will outgrow the first one before treatment is complete. They

also do their helmet adjustment appointments once a month, compared to CT

telling me that they will need to see my son every week because he is at a stage

in his life where he is growing so quickly that the DOC band will need to be

adjusted that frequently to accommodate for his head shape changing rapidly. I

was definitely not a fan of Hanger's helmet - it covers so much more of the

entire head than the DOC band, and the orthocist gave an overall impression that

the helmet is a " mold " that his head will grow into. I know that is not the

premise behind the DOC band, and how CT told me the DOC band works makes much

more sense to me.

I am really leaning toward CT, but my medical group denied my pediatrician's

referral to them, and okay'd a referral to Hanger instead because they are " in

network. " So the Hanger helmet is 100% covered, while we would be out $3800 for

CT's DOC band. I just want to do what is best for my son!!!!!

>

> Hello,

>

> If you would provide info. on the area where you are seeking treatment,

posters

> could provide you with the details of their experience. Posters have reported

> good results with both providers. What matters most is the skill of the

> orthotist who actually makes the helmet and is making the adjustments. Do your

> research and then decide what's best for your child. Perhaps, you will get

some

> feedback from posters specific to your area. That would be much more helpful

to

> you than just comparing brands.

>

> Good luck!

> -Amy

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: luvamotor <luvamotor@...>

> Plagiocephaly

> Sent: Mon, October 18, 2010 3:46:34 PM

> Subject: Hanger vs. Cranial Technologies

>

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> So glad I have found this group! My son is 4 months old and has been

diagnosed

> with plagio and brachy. At 3 1/2 months, my pediatrician said he would give

him

> until his 4 month well-check and then would be referring him to Cranial

> Technologies if he didn't see significant improvement. Being the Type A mommy

> that I am, I went ahead and did his consult at CT since it was free. I had a

> great experience there - they are the ones that diagnosed him and said that at

> his age, treatment with a DOC band should only take 6-10 weeks. Of course,

> AFTER the fact I find out that CT is not in my HMO insurance's network, and

they

> did not approve the referral. They are sending me to Hanger, and I have an

> appointment with them this afternoon. I have been reading as much as I can

> online (this group, Babycenter.com, etc.), and am really starting to feel that

a

> lot of parents believe that the Hanger helmet and treatment experience is far

> inferior to CT. Of course I want only what is best for my son, and I am new

to

> all of this, so I would appreciate any input from those of you who have gone

to

> both Hanger and CT. What was your experience like and what made you choose

one

> facility over the other? Thanks so much!

>