Re: Does Early Intervention Programs cover helmets/bands?

October 26, 2010

I'm surprised your neurosurgeon was surprised :-) Sadly it is quite common not

to have banding covered. Some people appeal and get coverage, others don't. We

were lucky that our insurance covered 100% at the start - I think that is

unusual. We had an HMO, but even with that HMO the coverage varied depending

which plan your employer selected.

-christine

sydney, 4.5 yrs, starband grad

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> > Does anyone know if Early Intervention programs are for therapy only - or do

they ever do/refer out for helmets. Just wondering about this; as we had gotten

a second opinion for our daughter from a pediatric neurosurgeon. He recommended

EI. We decided to try it, but became frustrated with the slowness of the

process. As we understand the sooner you get your child started with a helmet

the better/quicker the results. We had to wait about 2 weeks to meet with the

intake person from EI, who basically explained the program, but couldn't tell us

whether or not they've ever sent someone to get banded. We decided to go ahead

and have a developmental and physical (or I can't remember occupational)

therapist come out to the house to do their evals and give recommendations on

treatment. We waited a week and a half and still hadn't heard from either

therapist to call us just to schedule their meeting. When we called to follow

up, it was going to be another week and a half before th ey could come out. At

this point we decided to just go with Cranial Technologies and get the Doc-Band.

We didn't want to waste anymore time, as our daughter was at this point nearly

six months old. She has since gotten her helmet, and has had it for about 2 and

1/2 weeks. We have seen a few slight changes already. We are worried that she

may need a second one, as that is what one of the therapists at CT was kind of

inferring at our last visit. Can they really tell that this early on? Anyways, I

was just wondering if anyone has had experience with Early Intervention, and if

they just do therapy/exercises - or if anyone has had a helmet/band covered

through them? Thank You.

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