Re: New To group- First Visit to Cranial Technologies in Madison Ct

[Guest guest]

welcome to the group. I don't have any advice on that office (my daughter wore a

starband in CA) but good luck with your banding journey. I found it much easier

than expected once we got started.

-christine

sydney, 5 yrs, stareband grad

>

> Our son is just 4 months old and we have decided to go with the DOC Band. Very

much looking forward to the meeting and hopefully successful completion of the

process.

> Can anyone tell me who are the best Techs to deal with there or who should

politely stay away from.

> Any information is most appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

I went to Madison, CT and had a great experience. We met two of the clinicians

and liked them both. They were also very helpful regarding his torticollis since

they are PT's. Our band was also a perfect fit - no redness at all. I chose to

shave my son's head before his scan though, and I suspect that helped him get

such a well-fitting band. If you don't want to do that though, don't worry. They

cover the hair with a stocking to smooth it down for the scan they use to make

the band. If you do have any issues, they will accomodate you and get you in

right away. We had to change appointments at the last minute a couple times, and

the always got us right in.

The procedure is to do the measurements by hand at the first appointment and

take photos. They will assess the photos and measurements to determine if your

baby has plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and/or torticollis. Assuming they

recommend a band, the info is sent to your child's doctor to request a

prescription and to your insurance for preauthorization (with your permission,

obviously). Your doctor must send a prescription for the next appointment. At

that appointment, they will scan your baby's head so they have the info to make

the band, and you will have to pay for the band at that time since that's when

you're officially ordering it.

The appointment after that will be when your band arrives. They will check the

fit, explain care instructions, and show you how to use it.

If you have any questions about the fit, go ahead and mention them, because they

can go trim the band to correct any issues. I asked them to trim the front a

little higher because I felt like the band was slightly too close to his eyes,

and they were able to do it in a couple minutes. HTH

> >

> > Our son is just 4 months old and we have decided to go with the DOC Band.

Very much looking forward to the meeting and hopefully successful completion of

the process.

> > Can anyone tell me who are the best Techs to deal with there or who should

politely stay away from.

> > Any information is most appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you very much for your very thoughtful response.

We had our first appointment. after photos and measurements we met with Lynn.

She explained that our 4 month old son had moderate plagiocephaly, and felt that

he would have a very good result from the band. We are now awaiting them

receiving the script from the doc and insurance pre-certification. Our insurance

carrier (Aetna) says they specifically pay for bands where there is a doc script

and measurment parameters are met.

A few questions if you don't mind.

We are anxious to deal with their most expert technicians. It sounds like you

met two of the best. Do you recall their names?

We were told to expect the band to be in place in our sons case for 6-11 weeks

to achieve the desired result. That sounded a little fast to me. what was your

experience, ie age at start, length of treatment time.

You mentioned payment to be made on the day the band is ordered. Assuming our

ins pre-certs the band, do you still pay up front and then get re-imbursed?

Lastly,how did the band work for you; were you please with the results?

I can't thank you enough for your kindness in responding.

Alan

> > >

> > > Our son is just 4 months old and we have decided to go with the DOC Band.

Very much looking forward to the meeting and hopefully successful completion of

the process.

> > > Can anyone tell me who are the best Techs to deal with there or who should

politely stay away from.

> > > Any information is most appreciated.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan, I know your message was intended for , but since we just went

through the insurance process with Aetna, I thought I'd jump in and answer your

insurance question. Based on our experience, if your son's band is covered (ie.

his measurements fall within Aetna's qualifying parameters) all you will have to

pay at your first appointment is the $100 deductible.

Hope that helps! Our daughter gets her band on Friday...good luck to you and

your little guy!

Kristi

> > > >

> > > > Our son is just 4 months old and we have decided to go with the DOC

Band. Very much looking forward to the meeting and hopefully successful

completion of the process.

> > > > Can anyone tell me who are the best Techs to deal with there or who

should politely stay away from.

> > > > Any information is most appreciated.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Amy and were the two clinicians we saw. did our first and last

appointments (Amy was on vacation the week Caleb was exited), and Amy did all

the others. I would recommend either of them.

As for the time for treatment,our son started at 9 months and wore his band 3

1/2 months, until he outgrew it. He, like your son, had moderate plagiocephaly

and went from 12mm asymmetry to 4mm during treatment. Your son is starting

treatment at the ideal time, so he should have great correction. The only issue

you may run into is that it's possible he could outgrow the band before

treatment is complete. The younger the baby, the faster the head grows.

Sometimes people end up purchasing a second band because they want more

correction. Hopefully, that won't be the case for you. Anyway, I think you will

be really excited when you start to see some correction.

As for the precertification, you can contact Cranial Tech's insurance person or

your insurance company with questions because I think the the exact process and

how much you have to pay up front depends on your insurer and your specific

plan. The precertification, if approved, means your insurance company

acknowledges that your son qualifies for treatment according to their

guidelines. It doesn't necessarily mean they will pay. That depends on your

plan's rules. I paid upfront using Care Credit because I didn't want to wait to

get Caleb's band due to his age. HTH

> > > >

> > > > Our son is just 4 months old and we have decided to go with the DOC

Band. Very much looking forward to the meeting and hopefully successful

completion of the process.

> > > > Can anyone tell me who are the best Techs to deal with there or who

should politely stay away from.

> > > > Any information is most appreciated.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Kristi,

Thank you so much. In so far as we have Aetna as well your experience is very

welcomed. May all our wonderful children be happy and healthy.

Regards,

alan

> > > > >

> > > > > Our son is just 4 months old and we have decided to go with the DOC

Band. Very much looking forward to the meeting and hopefully successful

completion of the process.

> > > > > Can anyone tell me who are the best Techs to deal with there or who

should politely stay away from.

> > > > > Any information is most appreciated.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>