TRICARE providing breast pumps

WestRockBaby

I just read an article this week that TRICARE is in the final stages of updating their policy on providing breast pumps to help more women out. I don't know any details on how to qualify, but the article said that if you buy one from now until then, keep the receipt in case they do reimbursements. The information on the changes/advancements should come out soon.

lrathbaby3

Awesome! Where did you read this? I would love to pass it on to some friends!

usmcwife89

They were supposed to make that change before Christmas. Odds are they will never implement the change.

WestRockBaby

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/01/16/wait-continues-to-see-what-tricare-will-cover-for-breastfeeding.html

lalamomma

I think it's being forced on them to change and follow along with regular insurance companies. Unfortunately what isn't being mandated is what type they provide (electric vs manual). Hopefully they get it sorted soon.

brittanykal110

My doctor spoke to me about this and from my understanding it's only going to be for lowering ranking families, like E4 and under. But she was also able to give us information on some other places that offer the pumps to military families for a little over $100. Talk to your doctor, they seem to know everything lol

lilana1011

Would have been nice if they hopped on this train when we were pregnant with our first. Oh well. 

hnbruck

brittanykal110 said:

My doctor spoke to me about this and from my understanding it's only going to be for lowering ranking families, like E4 and under. But she was also able to give us information on some other places that offer the pumps to military families for a little over $100. Talk to your doctor, they seem to know everything lol

Do you mind sharing these places we can get them for around $100??!

amh0411712

I find it so frustrating that it is taking them do long to come up with a policy, and then to place stipulations on what they will provide based on rank.

I haven't seen any update, but just to save reciepts incase it is possible to back date it.

I do know the NEX has the Medela Pump for $199 on Wednesday

imfunsizeniki

@amh0411712 was this in a sale paper or another ad you saw??? We have mcx here but sometimes they have the same sales as the nex.

amorrison624

It was in the mailer flyer. I saw it too.

imfunsizeniki

I just checked the one for the mcx online... No dice. But they do price match. Wonder if they would price match nex

afwifey2014

There's not much information out there except for a facebook post on Tricare.

BabyBump2

Have any of you looked to WIC for breast pumps?? WIC will give you a breast pump and supplies if you qualify for WIC....

WaterBabs11

Just had an appt. with my OB and she gave me a paper saying Tricare would start to pay for pumps and supplies/classes so keep all your receipts. It also said that you'd have to buy from a Tricare approved provider so recommended calling Tricare to find out who they approve before buying anything.

DreaMak

mrettig13 said:

Have any of you looked to WIC for breast pumps?? WIC will give you a breast pump and supplies if you qualify for WIC....

They will only if your going back to work or school thi

jesshock22

https://m.military.com/daily-news/2015/06/05/new-tricare-policy-gives-free-breast-pumps.html?comp=700001075741&rank=2

KaLikeAWind

Oh, good! @jesshock22 I was just about to share this news myself. Huzzah!

EssJayCee

"Under the new policy, users can receive one hospital grade breast pump, if a doctor believes it to be necessary, and one manual or electric breast pump every time they give birth. The policy also covers pump power adapters, tubing and tubing adaptors, locking rings, bottles, bottle caps, shield or splash protectors, and breast milk storage bags as well as up to two double pumping breast pump kits."

Hospital grade AND an electric pump?  Am I reading that correctly?

I'm also surprised to see that breast milk storage bags are covered.  I wonder how that's supposed to work.  And what is a double pumping breast pump kit?

KaLikeAWind

I think it means a hospital pump if medically nessecary OR a manual or an electric pump every time they give birth.

I was also surprised to see all the associate supplies covered.

Still waiting till Monday to be able to call my Tricare provider (I'm in Tricare north) and get confirmation. I know military.com is always a source of reliable information, but someone in my bmb said they were able to reach their Tricare provider (they were Tricare west and were able to call before end of business yesterday) and they still got the same old line about coverage only for premies with medical necessity.

Hopefully it just needs time for everyone to get the memo. I would expect the news to come filtering down to the phone agents within a couple days, hopefully by Monday or Tuesday they will be on board

kristib1027

From my understanding they are reimbursing families back from dec 2014. Your doc will write you a scrip for a breast pump (manual or medical grade) and you go to a pharmacy and get one or buy with your own money and turn your receipt in to the tricare office near you with scrip to be reimbursed. This won't include hands free pumps, tubes, batteries, cleaning supplies, etc. with this it will also include up to 4 lactation classes at no charge. I didn't see anything on rank it would be available to. This is an awesome start tho!!!!

KaLikeAWind

All right, ladies. More googling today searching for the best place to call led me in a roundabout fashion to this page, which lists the benefits in breakdown and references the section # of the NDAA policy. I'm attaching the link so y'all can read for yourselves but it looks like we have to wait until July 1st when the new policy is implemented. So, we still have 22 days before we can take advantage of the new policy. However, reading the policy breakdown, it DOES say that we can purchase one and submit a claim for reimbursement (as long as we meet the requirements, reference the page for information). 

For myself, I would probably rather try to wait and possibly rent a pump from the hospital for a few weeks, THEN wait until after implementation on July 1st to just go to a local provider and get one. But that's me, because I don't want to spend the $ outright and then wait to be reimbursed. But of course everybody's situation is different.

Here's the link
https://breastfeedingincombatboots.com/?s=tricare&submit=Search

Also, there is a link on the above page that links directly to the online Tricare manual which shows the new coverage. So, its happening! Its in official government documentation!

afwifey2014

I'm active duty and I've been chasing this down for the last 3 months. I just got an email from my Dr. this morning, she'll put in a prescription for me to get one, but I have to wait to 1 Jul to get Tricare to cover it (otherwise I have to do a reimbursement). I had issues finding what a "Tricare" medical supplier/provider was. After calling Tricare (SOUTH for me), they pointed to their website where you could search for a medical provider or "durable medical supplier". I found one in my local area and I hope to go through after 1 Jul.

Link for the Tricare policy manual is https://manuals.tricare.osd.mil/DisplayManualFile.aspx?Manual=TP08&Change=136&Type=ChangeOnly&Filename=TP08C-136COComposite.pdf

Coco118

Has anyone been able to determine if only specific brands of pumps will be covered? I have a hand me down PISA from my sister (she only used it for 4 months) but I have been wanting to get a Spectra so am hoping to get one covered by Tricare.

Also, I saw there is a facebook "town hall" on Monday June 22 at 1pm eastern about this policy, if anyone is interested! https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/BenefitUpdates/Archives/06_08_15_BreastPumpPolicyChange.aspx

SullyN

I figured I would post this here since this seemed to be a repetitive question in the "town hall" they did today. So far I've only figured out the North & South how to find where to go to get your breast pump (other than going to a regular retail store and submitting a claim):

North Region: https://www.hnfs.com/apps/providerdirectory/default.aspx

Under Specialty select "Medical Supply Company" and enter your zip code, select the max number of results. You then have to go through each one and find ones that provide breast pumps. Some cover a wide range of supplies, some are very specific! 

South Region:  https://hmd.humana-military.com/.../SpecialistSelection...

Click Specialist (if the link doesn't select for you) and enter your zip code. You have to go through each one and find ones that provide breast pumps. Some cover a wide range of supplies, some are very specific.

As for having to do the work of going through them all and find the ones that provide breast pumps it seems that's how it goes for any piece of medical equipment you need so it's not just the women needing breast pumps that have to go through that process.

SullyN

Coco118 said:

Has anyone been able to determine if only specific brands of pumps will be covered? I have a hand me down PISA from my sister (she only used it for 4 months) but I have been wanting to get a Spectra so am hoping to get one covered by Tricare. Also, I saw there is a facebook "town hall" on Monday June 22 at 1pm eastern about this policy, if anyone is interested! https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/BenefitUpdates/Archives/06_08_15_BreastPumpPolicyChange.aspx

During their Town Hall (I read through all the questions they answered) it appears that they will cover any brand pump. At one point they did say something along the lines of they might only cover base models not luxury models. My understanding is this wouldn't be a problem unless you plan on buying it from a retailer and submitting a claim. 

I've made a summary of what was discussed and answered between the Town Hall, the policy, and their website. I'll try to link it if possible!

Coco118

SullyN said:

Coco118 said:

Has anyone been able to determine if only specific brands of pumps will be covered? I have a hand me down PISA from my sister (she only used it for 4 months) but I have been wanting to get a Spectra so am hoping to get one covered by Tricare.

Also, I saw there is a facebook "town hall" on Monday June 22 at 1pm eastern about this policy, if anyone is interested! https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/BenefitUpdates/Archives/06_08_15_BreastPumpPolicyChange.aspx

During their Town Hall (I read through all the questions they answered) it appears that they will cover any brand pump. At one point they did say something along the lines of they might only cover base models not luxury models. My understanding is this wouldn't be a problem unless you plan on buying it from a retailer and submitting a claim. 

I've made a summary of what was discussed and answered between the Town Hall, the policy, and their website. I'll try to link it if possible!

Awesome- thank you!!

SullyN

@coco118 Here it is! Let me know if it doesn't work!

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/18bSd13aIOJ30YPSK-wxRd33KZeWYfIQeSu6pQWoQyLY/edit?usp=sharing 

AshleyMB86

I just wanted to say, I have tricare prime remote and have been approved for my breastpump through aeroflow. It was really easy. I just filled out some forms online. they contacted my insurance and my OB for the prescription. Tricare covered all the basic models they had and the company will be shipping it out for me at the beginning of September. I'm due September 14.

last14real

Just got my breastpump covered through tricare!! My doctor wrote a prescription to a medical supply store and I was able to go pick up the pump and file my insurance there. The pump they gave me is the basic medella double electric breast pump. I also spoke with a tricare rep on the phone and she informed me that you can buy your pump retail but they have specific requirements on reimbursement. I do know you have to print and fill out a form, send in your receipt (make a copy!!), and they only cover specific basic models or a certain $ amount. For me the prescription and med supply store seemed wayyyy easier. Good luck ladies! 

JaysensMom

@junglebaby11 what medical supply store? I'm going to have my doctor fill out my prescription soon so I can get mine but I'm not sure how to go about it.

last14real

@JaysensMom I would google the medical supply stores in your area and then call them to find out who accepts TriCare. There were several in my area but only the Via Christi Home Medical accepted TriCare. I would imagine the longer the new policy is an effect more places will accept the insurance and offer the pumps but who knows. 

SullyN

@JaysensMom if you're in the North or South region I posted a few comments above how to find a supply store that's in network. I would also think you could call Tricare and ask just like you can when you need a new doctor. The only problem you might run into is medical supply companies don't always sell breast pumps, some are specific to certain types of equipment. Hope that helps!!

gumby22c

I'm in the south region and just got my pump through Targets McKesson program. It was super simple and easy. You can either pick it up in store or have them ship it to you.

ToriH12

I am in the North region and got mine through Aeroflow. It was a super simple process and I had my breast pump in hand the next day after choosing the model I wanted. If you contact aeroflow through their website they will ensure that you are eligible before proceeding just in case.

lbhobbs

I just got off the phone with Humana, Tri-Care South Region and was informed that they only cover manual pumps or single electronic pumps, NOT electronic double pumps.  Have any of you been able to get a double pump without any issues?  My medical supplier that my doctor referred me to does not even carry single electronic pumps.  

gumby22c

lbhobbs said:

I just got off the phone with Humana, Tri-Care South Region and was informed that they only cover manual pumps or single electronic pumps, NOT electronic double pumps.  Have any of you been able to get a double pump without any issues?  My medical supplier that my doctor referred me to does not even carry single electronic pumps.  

The pump I got is a double electric pump, a PISA, and it was covered by humana tricare. In fact when I gave my info to Targets McKesson program, they looked up what would be covered and gave me the options. One of which was the PISA, the other was an Ameda pump. I got my pump last month and had zero issues getting it.

browneyes_326

@gumby22c ok so I googled Target McKesson Program and found nothing but a couple news articles ... One link direct to Target was no longer a valid link. No contact info or website. Who do you contact? Target? McKesson? Is there a website?
THANK YOU!!!!!

gumby22c

browneyes_326 said:

@gumby22c ok so I googled Target McKesson Program and found nothing but a couple news articles ... One link direct to Target was no longer a valid link. No contact info or website. Who do you contact? Target? McKesson? Is there a website?
THANK YOU!!!!!

Here's the number I was given for the McKesson program. I can't remember exact, but pretty sure tricare Humana gave it to me:

855.406.PUMP (7867)

Buckles0528

Ladies I wanted to share you can also get it covered through babies r us, they take care of the insurance and ship it to you. I got a double electric. Here's the link with the phone number: https://m.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=22729026

browneyes_326

Thanks ladies, very helpful!