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December 2012 Moms
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Breast Pumps / Health Insurance / FSA

hminer4hminer4 member
in December 2012 Moms

I talked to my health plan provider today (BCBS of MA) and was told that my plan would cover a breast pump subject to my deductible AND co-insurance AND if I had a prescription AND bought it at an approved durable medical equipment supplier. My deductible would be $250 plus my co-insurance is 10% for any amount over the deductible. I called the approved DME supplier that they gave me and apparently they only have the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Backpack which would be around $300 so it would cost me $255 (my deductible plus 10% co-insurance). I had done some research before and thought the Medela Freestyle might be better.

I could buy the Freestyle from drugstore.com today for $350 using my FSA card (which I would also use for my deductible and co-insurance on the PISA if bought through the DME supplier). So the difference is really $100 from my FSA account.

Is it worth the extra cash???? Any STMs tried both???

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Re: Breast Pumps / Health Insurance / FSA

  • myskyegirlmyskyegirl member

    ETA - Sorry ignore my response.  I misread your post, I didn't realize until after you were looking for opinions on pumps.  Sorry   Confused

    I have BCBS MA also, but I got a slightly different explanation.  Perhaps it changes per plan.  I was told once my plan renews in Jan I would be covered 100% by BCBS and reimbursed though BCBS as long as I bought it though the approved durable equip supplier  

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  • jquirke9881jquirke9881 member

    I think the main difference are the soft flanges and the beefier membranes on the Freestyle.  Most people I know who have the PISA are more than happy with it.  If I had a choice I would probably go with the Freestyle but I would check and see if your insurance will be covering 100% after Jan 1.  If so, I think they will only cover the PISA. 

    Are you in MA?  If so, what is the DME place you called?  I don't know where to go for this.  THanks!

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  • hminer4hminer4 member
    prncebride: Yup I got the same info about it being covered 100% in January but since I am due in early December and have the FSA funds to spend I figured I would go ahead and use them instead of losing them. I had been saving the FSA $ for my deductible when we deliver but apparently there will be no cost for that so I gotta use it somewhere! :)
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  • itsmevkbitsmevkb member
    I never used the Medela Freestyle but did use the Pump in Style and was less than impressed. 

    Kelly, Mom to Christopher Shannon 9.27.06, Catherine Quinn 2.24.09, Trey Barton lost on 12.28.09, Therese Barton lost on 6.10.10, Joseph Sullivan 7.23.11, and our latest, Victoria Maren 11.15.12

    Secondary infertility success with IVF, then two losses, one at 14 weeks and one at 10 weeks, then success with IUI and then just pure, crazy luck.  Expecting our fifth in May as the result of a FET.

    This Cluttered Life

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  • hminer4hminer4 member

    jquirke: There are 2 near me (in Easton, MA). One in Attleboro, Attleboro Area Medical Equipment Co, and one in Brockton, Collins Surgical. There is a listing on the BCBSMA website:

    https://www.geoaccess.com/bcbsma/po60/SearchCriteria.asp

    I called a couple places that were listed though and not all actually had breast pumps even though the list said they did.

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  • +Jasha++Jasha+ member
    I didn't use a freestyle and I'm not sure what the difference is.  But I LOVE my PISA and I exclusively pumped with it for 4+months.  I had an amazing supply (enough for triplets at one point) and I believe that the pump helped.  I would say get the PISA, save the $100 and put it towards something for the baby. 
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  • hminer4hminer4 member
    I decided to order through addalittlelove.com. The Freestyle was only $300 and they accepted my FSA card for payment. I figured for an extra $50 it was worth it. Thanks for the input!
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