Helmet??

[D L and K's Mom]

DS is 19. He has been having lots and lots of drop seizures lately. Long story as we were seizure free for 7 years. We went to Neuro yesterday and he says while we are waiting and trying new meds we need to get DS a helmet. We have had a fractured nose, a broken elbow and last week he fell and cut his head and forehead at school. I was so shocked I didnt even ask about types etc...anyone?? DS is going to have a hard time keeping one on. He is at the developmental age of about an 18 month old. He will not keep on a hat so a helmet with a strap is going to be tough too. We have private health care insurance and Medicaid. Do you think they will pay for a helmet? We are trying new meds so I am hoping this is only for a short time but, it may not be. I just wanted to see if anyone you have workd of wisdom for me before I start making calls and looking online tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have private health care insurance and Medicaid. Do you think they will pay for a helmet?

If they give you any guff, if I were you, I would point out that paying for a helmet would be a lot less expensive for Medicaid and insurance to pay for than a head injury.
When my DD stopped eating totally when they changed her seizure medication to a generic one, I was able to get them to see the importance by pointing out that it was probably going to be less expensive in the long run for them to pay for the non-generic than to pay for a feeding tube. They did see the logic in that.

Here is a good article about choosing helmets. That article has a link to 2 companies - Danmar and Protectacap from Plum. Both of those are well known companies for making protective helmets. I have no idea how to make your child accept wearing one (it's not something we have to worry about since our DD is in a wheelchair all the time). I have seen people get kids to wear the Protectacap because they are bright and if he likes any cartoon characters or cars or anything, I have seen people decorate the type from Danmar with stickers.

and hope things improve for your DS soon.

 

[BeckyScott]

I would suggest stopping by a medical-equipment store locally and asking them about it. The dr would have to write a script for it, but it does sound like something medicaid would pay for. A medical supply store might be able to order it and process the insurance for you, with little work on your part. The only thing is, they might be limited on what brands or what styles the medicaid will pay for, so you'd have to decide if you want to go that way, or buy a nicer one on your own. I know with DS's glasses, medicaid will pay for them (but only once every two years) but they are only the ugly glasses and no extras like scratch-resistant, so we've opted to pay out-of-pocket. Since you're thinking it's temporary, it might be just as fine to have an "ugly" helmet rather than pay for a nice one that won't be used long.

Or, call you dr office back and ask them if the helmet is something that medicaid will pay for, and ask if you need a script for that to happen, and where they recommend you buying it.