insurance/pump rant
CBomback
member
So I just found out DH's insurance covers the full cost of a double electric (I just switched to his insurance Feb 1). At first, I was like: YAY! Then I started looking at the 3 companies they gave as places where I would have to obtain the pump from. One place does not sell pumps - great? Another place only sells their proprietary pump, so I would be at their mercy if I needed parts, not to mention I've never heard of this company, and they don't have bags or bottles to go with. Luckily, the 3rd place has a Medela Pump. They're calling it the advanced, which I am forced to assume is the PISA, as Medela doesn't have anything on their website that goes by just Advanced.
Here's the thing - I cannot even order the pump until after I have given birth. Then it takes a week for them to call insurance, call my DR, process the request, tell me if I owe anything, and then they can ship it. Yeah, sounds like the first thing I'm going to want to do as we leave the hospital. Lactation consultant is covered too, but if I already have access in the hospital after birth, isn't that the ideal time to get my coaching session and be shown how to use the pump? Which now I can't do because I will not be able to have the pump with me. so now if I need a coaching session, I'm going to have to make a separate appointment. What if I can't figure this stuff out on my own? I'm really going to have to beg to get appointments with people that are covered by insurance right away, and then drive all over the place trying to get to them?
This really has me freaked out - I really want to be able to BF, and I don't want to miss out on anything because my insurance is betting against me actually giving birth (at least that's what it feels like, or why else would they put off sending a pump? because people order them for fun?). Please tell me I'm overreacting...
Re: insurance/pump rant
That does suck that you're going to have to do all that running around to take care of it with a newborn. I'm convinced they do crap like that just to get people to say screw it and buy it themselves. But it could be worse, mine only covers a manual. Gee, thanks for sparing me that $20.
If I were you, I'd check into renting one through the hospital to get by until your good one comes in.
BFP 4/18/12, M/C 4/27/12 at 6w6d
BFP 7/1/12 - Counting down to our little girl, EDD 3/8/13
My insurance doesnt pay anything towards the cost of a pump. I am going to wait to see how it goes with breastfeeding and then maybe rent from the hospital.
Also, both the instructor from my breastfeeding class and my doctor told me that I really shouldnt pump for at least a month after birth anyway because it confuses your body. So you have a at least 3 weeks to get the pump. That should be plenty of time.
Pumps are expensive so I can totally see why they wait until you've given birth. There is that part of me who thinks people order them with no intention on breastfeeding and then sell them on Craigslist or ebay or something.
Sorry - I think your doc is a tool pp.
OP - sorry you're having a tough go of it. For as confusing as the process was for me to navigate, I'm happy with the outcome from my providers, thankfully! One less thing for me to worry about. Fingers crossed yours goes smoothly when you are able to get it.
Mine only covers manual as well. Sucks when we pay so much for health insurance.
Most people are in the same boat on this one. It sucks.
My plan is to buy a $30 manual pump to hold me over, as I would want one for an emergency anyway.
Then if the pump is back-ordered or it takes a while to come once the order has been placed with the medical supply company, I will get weekly rental quotes from our hospital.
Frustrating, but I don't know of any medical supply items that are approved prior to need. Even wtih cancer, and other extreme illnesses, anything that's rented or purchased that is considered durable medical equipment can't be used until the patient is in need. Insurance companies don't want to be on the hook, if, say, you miscarry.
Understandable, but annoying.
In my experience, the cheap-o manual pumps are total crap. Now, I'm a D-cup which might be the issue. In the end, my $30 manual pump just became the funnel I used when I hand-expressed in the beginning to relieve engorgement and/or get a small bottle for my newborn when I had to leave her with my mom for an afternoon.
I suggest spending the little bit extra (think it's only $40, I got it on clearance for $15) for Medela's basic manual pump. I haven't used it for actual pumping yet, but I did get curious and try it out and definitely felt a quality difference.
I have UHC and mine has already been approved by my doctor. There is a shortage so they had a cheaper one than the one that I ordered. They said that if I wanted to wait for the nicer pump, I could do that but it would not come in until the beginning of March. They will ship it to me as soon as it comes. If I decide that I need one before it comes in then I will just go buy one and will then have one for work and one for home. I went shopping with DH so that he knows exactly what to buy in case he has to go buy one for me.
DD #2 - 03.13
Your doctor is a douchebag. Sorry.
OP you can always rent a high quality pump for a month while waiting for the insurance. But as a PP said, you may not need it the first couple weeks.