Multiple breast pumps from insurance?

acrookston · January 2014

I was reading about the breast pump policy for my insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield) and it says that you are eligible for one pump per calendar year. Let's be honest, I would LOVE to have a pump for home and a pump for work. Has anyone received multiple pumps from their insurance? For some reason I feel like this is too good to be true...

spano41 · January 2014

I know someone posted on here that they got one in December and will get another one when the baby is born. I would definitely get two if my insurance covered that. It is going to be so annoying to lug that thing back and forth every day! I might still buy an extra one out of pocket after I go back to work.

GeorgiaWife12 · January 2014

I have BCBS as well and the way it was explained to me was one per child and per calendar year. Meaning, if you have 2 children per year (say 1 in January, 1 in December) you are still only eligible for one pump until the following calendar year. But, each plan is different so I would give them a call and have them explain it for you.

sugarrush · January 2014

I have BCBS (of Illinois) and im eligible for 2 breast pumps per calendar year. I just so happened to get my breast pump in 2013, so now I can get 2 in 2014 (this wasnt intentionally done, but I keep thinking how lucky I am for doing it then). So sorry you cant get two

im planning on doing the same thing as your thought process -- leaving 1 at home and 1 at work.

edited for poor spelling.

jobabyyy · January 2014

Ugh, my insurance only covers $130 for a pump and I have to wait until have LO is born to even purchase it.

spano41 · January 2014

Like LalaMama said it would also depend on when your plan year starts and ends. I know mine starts in September so it would depend on that, but you have to wait anyway so you will know at that time if you'll need it or not.

sugarrush · January 2014

jobabyyy said:

Ugh, my insurance only covers $130 for a pump and I have to wait until have LO is born to even purchase it.

My insurance covers about the same -- $135 - $150 and the rest is out of pocket for me. However -- I hit my max OOP early December 2013, so when I ordered my pump at the end of Dec, I got my $300 medela pump for $0. Maybe if you hit your OOP after the baby is born you can get it at no cost? Of course every insurance is different, but just a thought...

amhah09 · January 2014

Am I the only one who thinks one pump is more than enough? It's just not that much of a hassle to carry one to and from work and it will last you forever.

sugarrush · January 2014

amhah09 said:

Am I the only one who thinks one pump is more than enough? It's just not that much of a hassle to carry one to and from work and it will last you forever.

I strongly disagree with the bolded -- the breast pump I got is not exactly light. I commute from the suburbs to the city via public transportation (train AND bus) and hauling that thing back and fourth, plus a laptop, plus a purse? No thanks.

melzh411 · January 2014

I bought one with my health spending account, and get one with insurance. I kill pumps as an exclusive pumper. madela and ameda always replaces the motor but it takes 7-10 days to recieve which I dont have that time to be pumpless.

acrookston · January 2014

LalaMama81 Forgot to mention I got one through my insurance back in November

hsabyan · January 2014

How does one get a pump? Do you get it directly from your insurance or do you order it at the clinic and they bill your insurance? Sorry if that's a dumb question... I'm totally clueless!

acrookston · January 2014

hsabyan I called BCBS and they gave me a telephone number for a medical supplier to order my pump and it was delivered right to my home. It sounds like other people went to a medical supplier with a prescription. Best way to find out for you is to contact your health insurance provider.

Linnea503 · January 2014

I don't think I would have wanted to leave my pump at work because where would you put all the pieces out to air dry? Everything has to be washed and dried each night and I just preferred to do that at home.

amhah09 · January 2014

Sugar Rush said:

amhah09 said:

Am I the only one who thinks one pump is more than enough? It's just not that much of a hassle to carry one to and from work and it will last you forever.

I strongly disagree with the bolded -- the breast pump I got is not exactly light. I commute from the suburbs to the city via public transportation (train AND bus) and hauling that thing back and fourth, plus a laptop, plus a purse? No thanks.

My apologies. It was never a hassle for me to carry to and from work. It seems to me it would be more of a hassle having to carry the pump parts, bottles, cooler/ice, etc. separately every time.

rlmanning · January 2014

Check what kind of pumps the insurance in offering. I checked and our Kaiser is providing a Single Hand Pump.... No bueno...

If your options are crappy - look into renting a pump from the hospital. I did this with my last pregnancy and I got a hospital grade Madela (i forget wich one) and they gave me the sealed parts to it. It cost me $10 per month.

Osugradgrl · January 2014

I have BCBS as well and just FYI, on my plan they cover 150 milk storage bags every 90 days (I think there might be 3 refills max but every little bit helps!).

Jmblue · January 2014

My dr wrote me a script for pump but I can't get it until the baby is born.

jenskurn · January 2014

Just to add- I have bcbs fl and they will process the claim as soon as I'm registered at the hospital- which for me is 28 wks.

Rrrrrachel · January 2014

What company you have doesn't really matter. It's going to vary by state and also by plans within the state. Each group (employer) negotiates their own contract.

Holljade · January 2014

amhah09 said:

Am I the only one who thinks one pump is more than enough? It's just not that much of a hassle to carry one to and from work and it will last you forever.

The it will last you forever part is not accurate. If you are pumping a lot the pump can break- this happened to me last time, and I am thinking of having three pumps this time because I am so nervous about it.

Holljade · January 2014

LalaMama81 said:

Holljade said:

amhah09 said:

Am I the only one who thinks one pump is more than enough? It's just not that much of a hassle to carry one to and from work and it will last you forever.

The it will last you forever part is not accurate. If you are pumping a lot the pump can break- this happened to me last time, and I am thinking of having three pumps this time because I am so nervous about it.

I think when you aren't an EPer and only pump when necessary, it is hard to imagine needing more than 1. Most people don't need several, IMO. But I can see how you or another EPer would.

Yes for EPers absolutely. I was also thinking of women who pump at work )op mentioned having one for work and one for home) - that's a 1/2 day of pumping at least 5 days a week- to me that classifies as a lot of pump time.

amhah09 · January 2014

Holljade said:

amhah09 said:

Am I the only one who thinks one pump is more than enough? It's just not that much of a hassle to carry one to and from work and it will last you forever.

The it will last you forever part is not accurate. If you are pumping a lot the pump can break- this happened to me last time, and I am thinking of having three pumps this time because I am so nervous about it.

I think it depends on what pump you buy and I guess it varies from woman to woman. I've had no problem reusing my Medela with two kids and pumping at work. My SIL EPed two kids for 12+ months each with the same Medela. A coworker lent her Medela to several moms and that sucker went through at least 5 kids. In most cases they will last you at least through one baby, even EPing. Obviously that's not the case in every situation, but in most cases one pump will hold up just fine.

ETA - how long did it take yours to break? I think I would've checked warranty on that.

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