Uncovered Medical Fees: Cranial Helmets

TWO cranial devices (Helmet type item) for twin boys, Matthew and Michael Ellison, infant children born prematurely, who both have severely misshapen skulls. These devices are required to effectively re-shape their skulls and minimize any potential medical conditions that would likely occur later in life. The children are both seen by a cranial specialist who has provided Rx’s and detailed information for both devices needed. He also feels these devices could help without either baby having to undergo a potentially dangerous surgery which would still require the use the devices to be used post-surgery.

The babies were born prematurely and one of them was hospitalized for approx. 1 month after birth and initially had very serious health issues. Both boys are now thriving and relatively healthy, but the issue with their skulls is directly attributed to their physical disposition inside the womb and then the premature birth not allowing a full development in utero. The father states he was told the babies were “Smashed together” in the womb which increased the current issue both boys currently have. TRICARE will not cover the expense because they only cover it when a surgery to correct the deformity is completed first. The boy’s physician feels they are better off to avoid a potentially dangerous surgery but their skulls would properly align with the Helmet Device alone.

Cranial devices: $1,800 each

TDF paid for one and Task Force Dagger the other