Help Harrison get his DOC band
Donation protected
After 29 hours of labor culminating in an emergency cesarean on December 3rd of 2018, we were blessed with our beautiful son Harrison. We have been extremely fortunate with his overall health as he continues to grow and develop at a normal rate.
The only exception to this was that from birth he had a noticeable deformity to the back and top of his head. His pediatrician attributed this to his position in utero, and his tendency to favor one side while laying on his back. We did everything we could that she recommended including stretching exercises and repositioning to help with evening out the back of his head.
By month 3 his condition known as plagiocephaly had only worsened, and we were recommended for an evaluation done by Cranial Technologies for a DOC band. The DOC band is a medical device that applies custom corrective pressure to redirect a baby’s natural head growth into a normal head shape. The band is worn 23 hours a day, every day, and can achieve visible improvement in as little as two weeks. Over the course of treatment, the clinicians will make regular adjustments to the band to direct head growth and keep Harrison on track for a healthy and normal head shape.
Unfortunately, our insurance (Tricare) does not cover the cost of a medical device such as the DOC band to correct plagiocephaly unless surgery has failed to correct the condition. These surgeries are only about 30% successful, and extremely invasive compared to the less invasive DOC band (which also has a much higher success rate). While there have many petitions and appeals to Tricare to fund these life changing medical devices, none have met with success.
We have sought additional funding from other programs such as the VFW Unmet Needs Grant and others, but have had no luck so far. We are now expected to pay for the full cost of the device up front next week in order to begin the treatment. They also offer a payment plan, but this greatly increases the overall cost of the helmet by as much as 20%. After the military discount program the total cost out of pocket due to us is going to be upwards of $2,000. Early treatment of this condition by 4 months greatly increases the success rate, and reduces the likelihood of requiring a second of treatment.
My recent transition from the military to a career with the regional airlines has cut our income by 50% putting a financial strain on our family. The additional expenses of the training I required for my new job, our moving to the DFW area, and the addition of a new family member have drained the majority of our savings. Fortunately there is hope on the horizon, as my income drastically increases over the next few years once I begin building experience in my new field. Unfortunately we need help right now to keep away the debt we worked so hard to pay off over the last few years. This isn't an easy thing for us to do, but any help would be greatly appreciated. All funding received from this account will be paid directly to the medical costs of Harrison's treatment. Thank you for everything.
Below is additional information regarding plagiocephaly and the treatment we are pursuing:
Parent Guide to DOC Band
What is Plagiocephaly?
Understanding your baby's head shape
The only exception to this was that from birth he had a noticeable deformity to the back and top of his head. His pediatrician attributed this to his position in utero, and his tendency to favor one side while laying on his back. We did everything we could that she recommended including stretching exercises and repositioning to help with evening out the back of his head.
By month 3 his condition known as plagiocephaly had only worsened, and we were recommended for an evaluation done by Cranial Technologies for a DOC band. The DOC band is a medical device that applies custom corrective pressure to redirect a baby’s natural head growth into a normal head shape. The band is worn 23 hours a day, every day, and can achieve visible improvement in as little as two weeks. Over the course of treatment, the clinicians will make regular adjustments to the band to direct head growth and keep Harrison on track for a healthy and normal head shape.
Unfortunately, our insurance (Tricare) does not cover the cost of a medical device such as the DOC band to correct plagiocephaly unless surgery has failed to correct the condition. These surgeries are only about 30% successful, and extremely invasive compared to the less invasive DOC band (which also has a much higher success rate). While there have many petitions and appeals to Tricare to fund these life changing medical devices, none have met with success.
We have sought additional funding from other programs such as the VFW Unmet Needs Grant and others, but have had no luck so far. We are now expected to pay for the full cost of the device up front next week in order to begin the treatment. They also offer a payment plan, but this greatly increases the overall cost of the helmet by as much as 20%. After the military discount program the total cost out of pocket due to us is going to be upwards of $2,000. Early treatment of this condition by 4 months greatly increases the success rate, and reduces the likelihood of requiring a second of treatment.
My recent transition from the military to a career with the regional airlines has cut our income by 50% putting a financial strain on our family. The additional expenses of the training I required for my new job, our moving to the DFW area, and the addition of a new family member have drained the majority of our savings. Fortunately there is hope on the horizon, as my income drastically increases over the next few years once I begin building experience in my new field. Unfortunately we need help right now to keep away the debt we worked so hard to pay off over the last few years. This isn't an easy thing for us to do, but any help would be greatly appreciated. All funding received from this account will be paid directly to the medical costs of Harrison's treatment. Thank you for everything.
Below is additional information regarding plagiocephaly and the treatment we are pursuing:
Parent Guide to DOC Band
What is Plagiocephaly?
Understanding your baby's head shape
Organiser
Anthony Bailey
Organiser
Mansfield, TX