Your New Breastpump Could Be Free...Yes Free (well, ya know, covered by insurance free)

[olamina]

A few weeks ago as I was researching breastpumps, I discovered that under the new Affordable Care Act, my insurance *might* cover a breastpump as well as the cost of a lactation consultant

Comments

[max_ambiguity]

I should call my insurance just to see, but since I called about childbirth classes and they said no to that, I'm not holding my breath.

[designingdreams]

Pumps are under a different category than classes, since thy are considered medical equipment.

Often times, insurance policies will cover only a hand pump unless you have a letter from your doctor saying that you require an electric. I'm pretty sure most doctors are happy to oblige.

[max_ambiguity]

We'll see. I'm not worried about my midwife approving it since I think with twins it's fair to say hand pumping would take all day, but my insurance company is a bag of dicks.

[designingdreams]

but my insurance company is a bag of dicks.

Ugh, aren't they all!

[mrs]

This is great information. Thank you!

[sheepi83]

My insurance plan was grandfathered in, so no benefits from the Affordable Healthcare Act for me. :( I would ask under what circumstances your plan might cover a pump. I was told that if a. mother was separated from baby (ie baby went to the NICU) or b. baby won't latch, that a pump would be covered at x%.

[designingdreams]

Some plans did cover pumps before AHA was passed, so its worth asking, even still.

[orionrogue]

THis.

[devonrexlvr]

Not sure how the heck you pulled that off, but I also qualify for a free pump with my insurance and placed an order with Edgepark less than a month ago. After a couple weeks of them "verifying" and then "pending" status they told me they won't bill insurance or ship until the baby is born. Needless to say I'm less than thrilled because that means my deductibles are re-set (assuming kiddo is born in early January) and I basically end up having to pay for it out of pocket. Fail Edgepark >:(

[mariah00]

We went to a baby expo type thing back in August and were told that a breast pump may be covered. The next time I went to an OB appointment I stopped by the med supply shop in the atrium and they told us that our insurance would cover the pump but not till after delivery. I'm surprised the OP got hers so early.
Are you being billed for each OB visit or do they do this "global billing" thing after the baby is born? I'd say that if your provider does a global billing (charges ins. for all your OB visits and delivery all at once) that you'd probably hit your deductible right away and the pump would end up being covered.

[olamina]

OP here. I paid once at the beginning of my pregnancy and then I have a copay/deductible for delivery at the hospital... that might be the global billing thing you are referring to.

[dreamer512]

Last year when I inquired, my insurance told me a pump would be covered if my doctor wrote a prescription for it, which she said she would do for me. I ended up on bed rest and getting separated from them, which ended up being covered that way instead.