Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone and posture, caused by many factors that occur early in life when the brain is developing.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition or group of conditions that affects gross motor skills, movement, muscle control, posture and coordination. CP is the result of damage to the brain and the most common cause of childhood disability; however, the disabilities can range from very mild to severe.

The effects of cerebral palsy vary from person to person, and many also have visual, learning or other impairments. There isn’t a cure, but with proper care and treatment from different specialists, most people with CP live as long as people without it. That’s why early diagnosis of cerebral palsy is so important. CP does not get worse over time but symptoms might change.

Cerebral palsy symptoms

Cerebral palsy symptoms are different for each person but typically include problems with development, movement and coordination. Symptoms usually appear in infancy or early childhood and can include:

Delays in reaching motor skills milestones, such as:
- Persistent lag in holding up the head beyond 4 months old
- Keeping hands in fists (instead of opened) beyond 4 months old
- Not sitting without support after 9 months old
Stiff or tight muscles – for example, stiffness or tightness in legs that develops between 6 and 12 months old
Irregular body movement or posture such as:
- Consistent differences in posture or movement on one side of the body beyond 4 months old
- Definite hand preference before 12 months old
Floppy muscle tone
Tremors or involuntary movements
Weakness in one or more limbs
Seizures
Intellectual or learning disabilities
Feeding issues

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, always talk with your child’s doctor. Sometimes the symptoms of CP are obvious, and sometimes they are not. Sometimes what looks like CP is a symptom of something else. A trained health care provider can order tests to determine if your child has cerebral palsy. Earlier diagnosis means earlier intervention and treatment, which can improve long-term outcomes for children with CP.

Causes of cerebral palsy

CP is caused by a problem with the brain. It could be damage or improper development, and it generally happens before or around birth. Certain factors can affect brain development and increase the risk of CP. These can be separated into two groups:

Risk factors associated with pregnancy:

Previous stillbirths or miscarriages
Maternal thyroid disease
Pre-eclampsia
Abnormalities of the placenta
Maternal infection during pregnancy (for example, German measles or rubella, toxoplasmosis, Zika virus)
Substance use
Multiple births (twins/triplets/quadruplets)

Risk factors identified at or around birth:

Born prematurely
Admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
Lack of oxygen (neonatal encephalopathy) involving seizures and resuscitation
Birth defects of the brain, heart or limbs
Born too small for gestational age (growth restriction during pregnancy)
Stroke/bleeding in the brain
Infection of the spinal cord or brain

Cerebral palsy diagnosis

Your child’s doctor can diagnose CP with a combination of tests and assessments. The earlier CP is diagnosed, the sooner interventions and treatments can start. This improves long-term outcomes for children with CP. Your child’s doctor will review his or her medical history, evaluate motor skills and might recommend specific tests. Those tests might include:

MRI
Cranial ultrasound
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Specialized assessments (such as speech, hearing or vision)
Lab work

Our Cerebral Palsy Care Pathway program promotes early evaluation of babies and children at risk for CP. An early and accurate diagnosis allows access to appropriate interventions and resources for the child.

Cerebral palsy treatment

Cerebral palsy can’t be cured, but the symptoms and associated medical problems can be treated. Treatment is different for every patient and depends on their specific needs, and most patients with CP will see multiple specialists throughout their childhood. Coordinating care, such as the Cerebral Palsy Care Pathway, is important and some patients may need lifelong care.

Early intervention and treatment helps children maximize their ability to be as active and independent as possible. The patient’s needs may change over time, and the patient, family members and care team will update the treatment as needed.

Treatment options can include:

Speech therapy
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Medications
Surgery
Recreational therapy
Assistive devices

Insurance

Insurance Accepted

This chart is a list of the most common health insurance plans we accept. This list is subject to change. Please check your individual plan to confirm their participation and the coverage allowed.

Due to the different physician groups and hospitals within the Wake Forest Baptist system, physician services and hospital services are billed separately. Please remember that health insurance coverage varies, so some services may not be covered.

If you don’t see your plan or you have questions, please call our Customer Service Center at 877-938-7497. We will do our best to work with you and your plan.

Key

WFUHS - Wake Forest University Health Sciences (professional services)
NCBH - North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Includes Davie)
LMC - Lexington Medical Center
CHC - Cornerstone Healthcare
Wilkes - Wilkes Regional Medical Center
HPR- High Point Regional
N/A - Not applicable to services provided at facility and/or CHC
NC -Not Contracted, very low to no volume for facility and/or CHC

Wake Forest Baptist Health Managed Care/MA Contracts - April 2024

AETNA CONNECTED NC ACA/Exchange: Accepted at all locations

AETNA NC PREFERRED+: Accepted at all locations

AETNA (PPO & HMO): Accepted at all locations

AETNA MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

AETNA WHOLE HEALTH: Accepted at all locations

ALIGNMENT HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

AMBETTER OF NC: Accepted at all locations

AMERIHEALTH CARITAS NEXT ACA/Exchange: Accepted at all locations

BCBSNC (PPO & HMO): Accepted at all locations

BCBS HIGH PERFORMANCE (NATIONAL NETWORK): Accepted at all locations

BLUE LOCAL WITH ATRIUM HEALTH: Accepted at all locations

BLUE MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

BLUE VALUE: Accepted at all locations

CAROLINA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not applicable to services provided at LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

CIGNA: Accepted at all locations

CIGNA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and High Point (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC and Wilkes)

CIGNA HEALTHSPRING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, CHC and High Point (not applicable to services provided at Wilkes)

CIGNA LIFESOURCE (TRANSPLANTS): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

CRESCENT PPO (ASHEVILLE): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

DEVOTED HEALTH (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at all locations

DIRECT NET: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for CHC)

FIRST HEALTH NETWORK: Accepted at NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS and CHC)

FIRSTCAROLINACARE (PINEHURST, NC): Accepted at NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS, LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

GATEWAY HEALTH ALLIANCE (VIRGINIA): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

HEALTHGRAM (formerly PRIMARY PHYSICIAN CARE): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and LMC (not contracted, very low to no volume for CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

HEALTHTEAM ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

HUMANA CHOICECARE: Accepted at all locations

HUMANA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

LIBERTY ADVANTAGE (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

MAGELLAN (BEHAVIORAL HEALTH): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not applicable to services provided at LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

MEDCOST: Accepted at all locations

MEDCOST ULTRA: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not applicable at CHC)

PHCS/MULTIPLAN: Accepted at NCBH, CHC, LMC and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS and Wilkes)

OPTUMHEALTH (TRANSPLANTS - APPLICABLE TO NCBH/WFUHS ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

PREFERRED CARE OF VA INC: Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

SOUTHERN HEALTH SVCS (COVENTRY-PPO ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

TWIN COUNTY (VIRGINIA): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, CHC and High Point (not applicable to services provided at LMC and Wilkes)

UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (WFUHS ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS (not applicable for services provided at NCBH, LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

UNITED HEALTHCARE: Accepted at all locations

UNITED HEALTHCARE ESSENTIALS ACA/EXCHANGE: Accepted at all locations

UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

VA CCN: Accepted at all locations

WELLCARE (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at all locations

LMC ONLY: Contracts specific to support Lexington employer groups, low volume
NATIONAL PROVIDER NETWORK/MEDICAL RESOURCES

CHC ONLY: Contracts specific to support CHC
TRICARE

Key

WFUHS - Wake Forest University Health Sciences (professional services)
NCBH - North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Includes Davie)
LMC - Lexington Medical Center
CHC - Cornerstone Healthcare
Wilkes - Wilkes Regional Medical Center
HPR- High Point Regional
N/A - Not applicable to services provided at facility and/or CHC
NC - Not Contracted, very low to no volume for facility and/or CHC

Referring Physicians

At Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, we understand the importance of referrals. Our physician liaisons partner with referring physicians in our community and beyond to provide information on our physicians and clinical services.

Contact the Physician Liaisons