Home Phototherapy suggestion needed

[bgaviator]

Well, I just found out from Daavlin today that my insurance company will not pay for a DermaPal light unit. I am really surprised considering how good United HealthCare has been in all other aspects of my health!
So I guess I'm reduced to asking family members for money to help pay for one of these units out of pocket. My question is this.
I originally had my Derm write a prescription for the DermaPal light unit...mostly because it could be used on the scalp and you can travel easily with it.....however, I've been re-evaluating my situation.
95% of my psoriasis is on my back/butt/leg region.....with such a widespread area of psoriasis I am wondering if the dermapal would even be able to effectively control large areas like this.....so I have been considering the smaller 2 Series that is 2 feet tall. A unit like this would be able to get most of my back in one shot....however, I don't think it would work on my scalp at all.....any thoughts on what I should do? Thanks.

[dlruss]

That sucks that you're insurance company won't play ball. Sadly so many don't really look past the current month and realize that the cost-benefit to a home unit is huge over the long-term.. Grr..

I went through a similar situation and I would suggest seeing what you can do to find a good home unit..

A good site I used to monitor is:

http://www.solarcsystems.com/us_specials.html

Off-the-bat I see a 4-foot, 4-lamp BBUVB unit for $650. Maybe that can be negotiated down a littlebit?

Also, every now and then I see people post on here that they're selling a used unit. I bought one from these message boards, myself, a few months ago. It was a ginormous 6-ft-12-bulber and I had to drive to Michigan to pick it up, but I've been so very happy with it and it will have paid for itself in no-time.

Good luck to you! But I would seriously consider going used...

[Resist]

If sounds like what you need is a panel UVB unit. And maybe that is what your insurance will cover, not a handheld unit. I'd try again for the panel unit.

[SuzanneT]

I have the Derma Pal, and had to pay for it myself. I would think that your areas are too large to try to use the Derma Pal, and it wouldn't be very efficient. I'm just doing my hands and feet, so it works fine.

Note: If your insurance won't cover it, Daavlin will give you a discount :)

Sue