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CranioCap® Frequently Asked Questions CranioCap® FAQ

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CranioCap® FAQs

How does the CranioCap work?

Gillette Children’s will customize a craniofacial orthosis, called a CranioCap®, to fit your baby’s head. Pads are placed inside the CranioCap® so it fits snug in some areas and is open in others. As your baby’s brain grows, their skull is slowly molded into the open areas of the orthosis, rounding the head over time. It generally takes three to four months for this process to occur.

What does the CranioCap® include?

Gillette Children’s makes the CranioCap® in our Assistive Technology Department locations in St. Paul, Maple Grove, Burnsville and Minnetonka, Minn. During the CranioCap® visits, your child will receive:

  • The CranioCap®
  • Custom fitting for the CranioCap®
  • Follow-up care with a practitioner. Generally, this includes an appointment every two weeks for a month and a half, and then once a month for up to three more months.

(Note: In addition to the fitting and follow-up sessions listed above, a preliminary evaluation and a final consultation with Gillette’s craniofacial specialist are required.)

Will medical insurance cover the cost of the CranioCap®?

In most cases, insurance companies will cover the cost of the CranioCap®, according to the terms of your insurance. However, some insurance companies may consider the correction of deformational plagiocephaly cosmetic and not a medical necessity. We encourage you to check with your insurance carrier regarding coverage.

If you have difficulty obtaining coverage for a CranioCap® or meeting copay obligations, Gillette Children’s has financing options available. For more information, please contact patient accounting at (651) 325-2177 or toll-free at (800) 719-4040.

How do I begin the process of getting a CranioCap® for my child?

First, your child needs to be evaluated by our craniofacial specialist at Gillette Children’s in St. Paul, Minn., Burnsville, Minn., or at Minnetonka, Minn.

(Note: As with any referral from your child’s primary care doctor, this preliminary evaluation will likely be covered by your insurance carrier. However, we suggest you verify your insurance coverage for this appointment.)

To schedule a preliminary evaluation at our St. Paul hospital, call our new patient appointment number at (651) 290-8707 or toll-free at (800) 719-4040. If we determine that your child can benefit from a craniofacial orthosis, their CranioCap® can be made at our St. Paul, Maple Grove, Burnsville or Minnetonka clinics.