Better than those Cranial Tech people -flat heads

[rweather]

We have anguished over our DS's plagiocephaly/bracheocephaly since December and finally have some relief. Our dr recommended we have a consultation for a slightly misshapen head from being on his back. My DH raced out and bought Bumbo Seat and Exersaucer to boot. Went to consultation at Cranial Tech and left feeling slightly slimy and preyed on. It was like a used car dealership. StarCranial and KidCap were all too eager to see us as well but it didn't come to that.

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING CALL THESE PEOPLE: http://www.inova.org/healthcare-services/pediatrics/types-of-services/pediatric-craniofacial-program.jsp


For those of you who want more infor here's the low-down:
1. Cranial Tech is not Blue Cross Blue Shield Preferred Provider (the other two are).
2. Covers 60-85% the rest is out of pocket -IF medically necessary.
3. Was told I would pay up front and ins company would reimburse but spoke w/ins and they were confused by this statement
4. Was told his "deformity" was moderate because it was visible by Cranial Tech, not incidentally b/c of his measurements!
5. Went to INOVA folks (free) who hold a clinic twice a month, and was told he was FINE and did not need helmet.

Unbiased opinions from these folks. Why don't the drs just refer us here instead of to the companies? Anyhow, good luck to anyone who goes through this themselves.

[Anonymous]

If you do have insurance - I would recommend seeing a neurosurgeon at Children's. Our doc referred us to Cranial Tech. I called my cousin (a neurosurgeon) and asked what he would do. He referred me to someone at Children's in DC. I knew that Cranial Tech would tell me I needed a helmet and didn't want to second guess my decision, feeling like I'd been fleeced. After consulting with the neurosurgeon we decided to go with KidCap, and we were happy with the process and results. (Our neurosurgeon felt that KidCap wasn't as pushy - I didn't see Cranial Tech, but just their website was pretty pushy and off putting)

[Anonymous]

I could not agree with you more. Thanks SO MUCH for posting this. I think this company totally plays on the guilt of parents to make a profit. My son had torticollis that required several months of physical therapy to correct. He developed mild plagiocephaly, and our pediatrician told us that we could to check out Cranial Tech, but he advised us that he's NEVER heard of Cranial Tech advising someone NOT to get the helmet. They tell everyone they need it, no matter how mild the condition.

They aren't doctors, either. It is like walking into a cosmetics store and asking the lady at the counter if she thinks you need anything.

They called my son's plagiocephaly "moderate" and recommended the helmet. We didn't do it, and his head is perfectly round now. So glad we did research before sinking several thousand into a helmet.