Vest use for a 2 yr old

[tysmama]

So my son started using "the vest" a little over a week ago. He is not a fan by the way. My insurance companies approval dept and medical director denied the claim stating that it is unsafe for a child of his age and had not been proven to really make a difference. It is only recommend for children 7 and over. They state I can appeal this but it is up to his pulmonologist to weigh benefits an risks. Anyone else dealt with this before with a little one? He seems to be doing better lately and has less coughing.

 

[Aboveallislove]

Our son has used since I think 6 months old (young), but at least by 9 months. I actually called to make sure "shaken baby syndrome" wasn't a concern b/c it gave me a headache holding him the first few times and they said "never heard of that" and they weren't concerned. They can't prove it really at that age b/c they can't do FEV for ages 2 - 6 which is why most things are approved for 6 and above only and nearly everything else is off label. If you think it is hard getting him use to it now, imagine waiting until he is 7!! For us, it is a quality of life issues beside I think it works better than manual percussions because we can do his Xopenex and hyper-sal with the vest and not have his treatments be 1.5 hour am AND pm by doing inhalled meds and then percussions. I'd talk to your doctor and really stress you think it is helping with productive coughes and ask what they need to do to fight get the approval. Good luck!