Anyone know if Tricare covers breast pumps or parts?

noah-bear

I'm on Tricare Standard (North). I have a pump from a friend, but I need new tubes and smaller shields. Is anything covered pump wise if LO isn't premature?

ufsandra85

for the most part no.

ufsandra85

this in in FAQ and there are a lot of threads about this but tricare doesnt pay for breast pumps unless under special circumstances. some hospitals will rent them out to you for a good price.

 

 https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/64990075.aspx

NSL

Tubes and shields are really cheap.  You're looking at less than $25 if you shop around.

mollyxcate

Breast Pump

TRICARE may cover electric hospital-grade breast pumps for premature infants who meet certain criteria.  The breast pump may be covered for use in the hospital, and in certain cases, if the physician can prove medical necessity, for home use.

TRICARE does not cover:

• Electric hospital-grade breast pumps for convenience
• Basic electric breast pumps
• Manual breast pumps

 Thats what I got on the tricare website. Hope that helps!

Edit: Tricare website when I went in through prime. But I think it's more or less the same .

BeckyTheEngineer

I actually got to use a hospital-grade pump for free, thanks to the military.  I had a clogged duct when my first child was a couple days old, and went back to the civilian hospital (where I had the baby) lactation consultant.  She gave me all of the tubes and plastic stuff for free, and my husband went on base and picked up a pump from their hospital.  I was allowed to keep it as long as I was using it.

st.augbride

No, only if you deliver early. Ds was born at 34w 5d and we got a hospital grade pump for 8 months.

sweetpea2003

No.

Go to Target or Amazon or wherever you shop. The shields/tubing is CHEAP.  Probably the same cost as one can of formula.

 

noah-bear

sweetpea2003:

No.

Go to Target or Amazon or wherever you shop. The shields/tubing is CHEAP.  Probably the same cost as one can of formula.

 

They dont sell tubes in stores and no one carries the shields i need (smallest size). The local hospital quit using Madela too so i have to do it all online. 

NSL

noah-bear:

sweetpea2003:

No.

Go to Target or Amazon or wherever you shop. The shields/tubing is CHEAP.  Probably the same cost as one can of formula.

 

They dont sell tubes in stores and no one carries the shields i need (smallest size). The local hospital quit using Madela too so i have to do it all online. 

 So buy them online.  I got new tubes and shields from Medela through Amazon back when my second was born, and it was still dirt cheap.  Not sure why purchasing none wold be a problem in your case. 

Rdautenhahn

The CDC at our base will provide a breast pump free for a year if you are below e-5 and got your bfp or a medical exam while pregnant at one of the base clinics. 

Rdautenhahn

I see the OP is from Kansas,  we are at McConnell and it was very easy to get a free breast pump rental. PM me if this is where you are stationed and want to know how. 

noah-bear

Rdautenhahn:

I see the OP is from Kansas,  we are at McConnell and it was very easy to get a free breast pump rental. PM me if this is where you are stationed and want to know how. 

TB wont update my place for me, we were actually PCSd to Maryland (we're in North Potomac). 

Rdautenhahn

noah-bear:

Rdautenhahn:

I see the OP is from Kansas,  we are at McConnell and it was very easy to get a free breast pump rental. PM me if this is where you are stationed and want to know how. 

TB wont update my place for me, we were actually PCSd to Maryland (we're in North Potomac). 

Oh ok! Tried to help its probably just as simple there though. GL! 

ashtonblair123

mollyxcate:

Breast Pump

TRICARE may cover electric hospital-grade breast pumps for premature infants who meet certain criteria.  The breast pump may be covered for use in the hospital, and in certain cases, if the physician can prove medical necessity, for home use.

TRICARE does not cover:

• Electric hospital-grade breast pumps for convenience
• Basic electric breast pumps
• Manual breast pumps

 Thats what I got on the tricare website. Hope that helps!

Edit: Tricare website when I went in through prime. But I think it's more or less the same .

This is the same as what it says for my Standard. 

Junebug060609

I'm totally excited that you won't qualify for a pump.  I was told that if baby wasn't born before 36 weeks that the chances were slim to none that I could get a pump.  Held true for me.  And now that you are full term (woo hoo!), that'll probably be the case for you.

Ditto what a pp said about getting spare parts online.  I got tubing, membranes and shields off Amazon for pretty cheap.