Plastic surgeon or ENT for vpi/voice in NJ

amother

Indigo

Thu, Jan 19 2017, 10:50 am

My child was referred to dr Oksana Jackson to check out cause of hypernasality (velopharyngeal insifficiency, or vpi).
For this issue, dr doesn't see patients in NJ but only in Chop pa, where I would have to pay (for her consult plus speech evaluation and maybe then some more) out of pocket.

Can anyone recommend a plastic surgeon in NJ that is knowledgeable about kids/throat/speech/velopharyngeal insufficiency?

Thank you!

ETA: Updated the title to include ent

amother

Babypink

Thu, Jan 19 2017, 11:41 am

CHOP is officially a NJ hospital, so find out for sure if you're insurance won't cover it. We use doctors in CHOP for my child and everything is covered by my non-out-of-state insurance.

amother

Indigo

Thu, Jan 19 2017, 12:05 pm

exhausted wrote:

I don't think you need a plastic surgeon, probably an ENT. You might want to change your title.

A particular "advanced" Ent told us we have to go straight to a surgeon and not waste time on a visit to her, as she refers patients with nasality issues to dr Jackson.

amother

Indigo

Thu, Jan 19 2017, 12:08 pm

amother wrote:

CHOP is officially a NJ hospital, so find out for sure if you're insurance won't cover it. We use doctors in CHOP for my child and everything is covered by my non-out-of-state insurance.

My insurance does cover pa location but at tier 2, which would make me pay several thousand out of pocket before I reach deductible for that tier.
A tier 1 specialist would be covered with a small copay.

shirachadasha

Thu, Jan 19 2017, 11:20 pm

Does your child see a speech therapist? Can you ask him / her for suggestions?
Can you ask your insurance company? If they can't find you someone with comparable experience, you may be able to request an exemption so that a tier 2 provider is reimbursed as if she is tier 1. You'll likely get a "no" the first time you ask but being persistent might work.

amother

Indigo

Thu, Jan 19 2017, 11:41 pm

shirachadasha wrote:

Speech therapist recommended the dr that is tier 2 in the location where she sees pts for vpi.
I will ask her for other recommendations but want to ask imamothers as well, in case someone already knows a name they were happy with, and slp doesn't have other suggestions.

I have access to the directory of tier1 doctors provided by insurance but I don't know anything about them, therefore am seeking recommendations from other people.

Dr will be paid just fine, problem is location where she does vpi consults falls under tier 2, which becomes my responsibility. And she doesn't do such consults in the location where she is tier 1.

amother

Indigo

Thu, Jan 19 2017, 11:43 pm

amother wrote:

I have an excellent dr in ny does that help you?

Generally, I'm afraid my insurance doesn't cover ny.
You could give me the name though, I'll check maybe they also see patients in some other location that is covered.

Thank you

nyc123

Thu, Jan 19 2017, 11:47 pm

I know your ENT recommended going straight to that specific plastic surgeon, and maybe she has a good relationship with that surgeon and that surgeon specializes in VPI. But if you're looking for a different doctor, I would definitely first go to an ENT. It sounds like you want to investigate the cause of the hypernasality. The ENT will be the one to do that- they will visualize the velopharyngeal port to see if it is closing correctly. If it's not, then you will need to look into surgery, but if the structure is fine then you'll have no need for a plastic surgeon.

amother

Indigo

Fri, Jan 20 2017, 8:34 am

nyc123 wrote:

You're right, that's exactly what we're looking for. Thank you for your suggestion, I'll ask the slp for other ent recommendations.

If anyone knows an ent who focuses more on throats than ears please let me know. (I know they supposedly know the entire ent system but I was told specifically not to go to one very popular local ent who's known for specializing more in ears. Rather, someone with a narrower focus would be better).

amother

Fuchsia

Wed, Feb 01 2017, 11:55 pm

Sorry I didnt reply sooner. I had a very good experience with Dr deserres in ENT and faculty groupin Ardsley new york its in westchester. I have a few surgeries done to my child for VPI and all BH very successful. She does not rush to do surgery. I really trust her when she says its time for surgery. She is also very experienced and skilled.