Dayton, OH (February 12, 2026) Shriners Children’s is leading a multi-center study that they hope will improve standards of care for burn patients everywhere and could potentially lead to insurance companies changing their coverage policies for certain types of burn procedures.
Dr. Sara M. Higginson, the Chief of Staff at Shriners Children’s Ohio, is working with the medical teams from Shriners Children’s burn care centers in Dayton and Sacramento to compile research data demonstrating the effectiveness of fractional CO2 lasers for pediatric burn patients. The technology, which has been around for more than two decades, is used regularly to help stimulate skin regeneration and minimize scarring for a variety of conditions. However, the treatment, which can cost roughly $6,000 per use, and often requires multiple visits, is widely viewed by insurance companies as a cosmetic procedure and not covered by most plans.
However, Dr. Higginson hopes to change that by launching a first-of-its-kind system-wide study that will provide data on how the fractional CO2 laser improves patient outcomes. The two-year study will utilize state-of-the-art technology to 3D map scars and measurements that demonstrate how the laser improves factors such as elasticity, pliability and mobility in the burned area and overall patient comfort.
“We’ve seen the difference this procedure can make for children, and it goes well beyond cosmetic; it’s life-changing,” said Dr. Higginson. “You can take a child who isn’t sleeping because of the severe itching from their burns and with CO2 laser, they can finally sleep through the night. In some cases, it helps their mobility enough that they can finally open a water bottle by themselves. These are things that make a major difference in the quality of life for a child, and that kind of care should be universally accessible. We’re hoping that by unifying our burn centers in this kind of comprehensive study, we’ll be able to prove it works and change what is covered by insurance.”
Macey, a 4-year-old patient at Shriners Children’s Ohio, just received her second fractional CO2 laser treatment for a burn injury on the palm of her hand. Macey sustained the injury when she was a year old after accidentally touching a wood-burning stove. Her mom, Cheyenne, said the laser treatments are helping Macey have better mobility and functionality so she can do everyday tasks like holding crayons at school.
“This wasn’t a treatment option that I was seeking out before I came to Shriners Children’s and I think more parents would want this option if they knew about it,” said Cheyenne. “We started at a different burn facility right after Macey’s injury and it wasn’t something they offered. But we’re so glad she was able to have this treatment because it’s very noninvasive. It’s allowing her to do all the things a 4-year-old girl loves to do.”
Dr. Higginson currently uses fractional CO2 laser technology on 4 to 5 patients a day at Shriners Children’s. Because Shriners Children’s provides care regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status, Dr. Higginson no longer has to call insurance companies fighting for coverage for her own patients, but she wants to see their policies change so that kids and parents have access to this treatment option, no matter where they go for care.
“Before I came to Shriners Children’s, there were many times where I would spend two hours of my day begging insurance companies to allow a child to have this procedure because it was medically necessary - and they would deny coverage,” said Dr. Higginson. “When I came to Shriners Children’s, I knew that because of the number of cases we treat and the level of expertise of our care, we could compile enough compelling evidence to make this change happen. Once all our data is presented, we hope this will alter the standards of care across the country and make this change possible.”
Shriners Children’s Boston, Northern California, Ohio and Texas are accredited by the American Burn Association (ABA) as verified pediatric burn centers. To learn more, go to www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/pediatric-care/burn-care.
About Shriners Children’s
Shriners Children’s improves the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding education programs for medical professionals. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families’ ability to pay or insurance status, and receive all care and services in a compassionate, family-centered environment. For more information, please visit shrinerschildrens.org.
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