Anyone looked into free breast pump from insurance co yet?

mkrik129 · March 2014

I hear thanks to Obamacare all insurance has to cover to cost of a breast pump. Anyone looked into this yet or gotten theirs? What kind can you get? Do you buy and they reimburse? Was it easy/worth the hassle of dealing w the insurance co?

snmetz7 · March 2014

My insurance covers certain ones 100% I just pay shipping. BUT I can't order one until LO is born so that's a call I will be making from the hospital. Don't know how much shipping is, but I'm sure its less than $50 making ordering from the insurance very worth it... for me.

Mamamonzo · March 2014

Got mine in January. My insurance company gave me a list of medical supply companies that accepted our insurance. I called, got an RX from my OB, ordered and got it within 2 weeks. They billed our insurance directly.

buffyjsa · March 2014

I contacted my insurance company to ask about breast pumps and I was told that our company did NOT cover breast pumps. I said that looking online the general plan for our company in our state says pumps are covered. I was told because our specific plan doesn't specifically state it, they won't cover it. I said our plan covers DME and isn't a breast pump DME? I was told that a pump is DME, but as previously mentioned, if the plan doesn't specifically state it, they won't cover it. I asked if this could be added to our plan and I was told to check with my husband's employer, through which we have our insurance. (Our insurance company is blue cross independence administrators in Pennsylvania).

My parents bought the pump for us as their baby gift to us, but I am royally ticked off at the insurance company. So just because insurance companies are supposed to cover something, doesn't mean they actually will (fyi, I went through the same crap last year when birth control pills were supposed to be covered because of obamacare and was told that the insurance company wouldn't cover those either!). Grrrrr!

hordol · March 2014

You will want to call your insurance company to see what they do because each one is different. For mine, I am allowed to order it before the baby is born, but it has to be ordered by a physician (ie: you need a prescription). My OB routinely writes a prescription right after the birth so I am just waiting till then anyway. I can get the Medical In Style Advanced, but they consider the Freestyle an upgrade. So if I decide to get the Freestyle (or any other kind) they will only cover the portion that the In Style Advanced would cost.

Rachnan · March 2014

Was able to get mine at 7 months with a perscription. I think it's an Ameda? Double electric pump. Was free and no shipping charge.

bootsiebabe · March 2014

Rachnan said:

Was able to get mine at 7 months with a perscription. I think it's an Ameda? Double electric pump. Was free and no shipping charge.

Exactly this for me.

redjellybean128 · March 2014

I called my insurance in January and they provided me a list of medical supply companies that they covered. I had my choice of three models, and I ordered it in January. I'm assuming they had to check with the doctor because I had to provide that info when I ordered. It came last week because the company doesn't ship until closer to your due date.

*sparky* · March 2014

Call your insurance co now to see how it works for your plan. From speaking to different people, different co's handle it different ways. My insurance co will not cover a pump for me until after a "live birth" so I cannot order anything yet. I have to get it from a medical supply company. The store at most hospitals does qualify as a medical supply co; unfortunately, the one at mine does not. My insurance co sent me a list of qualifying locations. If I have a preemie, they will cover a hostpial-grade pump. If I have a full-term birth, then they cover a normal electric pump and will not cover hospital-grade.

My friend's insurance allows her to purchase hers now and she can either rent a hospital-grade or buy a regular pump.

JessieAlbin · March 2014

I'm not sure how the new legislation effects the reality of our insurance policies on this one, but my insurance definitely already covers it. My doctor recommended that I wait till kiddo is here to get one, based on whatever needs or breast feeding complications I may have. There are free doulas and lactation consultants at my hospital, and my OB assured me that they want me breast feeding and will go above and beyond to help me with whatever I need to have a successful breast feeding experience, including helping me track down the best pump they can get with my insurance. I may hate being pregnant, but I sure do love the medical team I am getting prenatal, L&D and postnatal care from.

RedDawnsRevenge · March 2014

I got mine Friday. Was hoping to get a PISA but all Apria carries is the Ameda purely yours, (enough though the website says they have the PISA they don't). I dropped off the Rx on Thursday and picked the pump up Friday morning so it was very simple. Hoping it works as well as my PISA did. It says it's leak proof, so maybe that will be better for pumping while taking care of baby and toddler?

Jennpjc414 · March 2014

Once my baby is born I just go to my doctor and pick up the pump. It will be an ameda purely yours pump.

joules40 · March 2014

You definitely need to call as everything is different. I lucked out- no price limit, order at any time. Just needs to come from a DME and they will provide you with the list of suppliers.
I went with Medela freestyle.

joules40 · March 2014

Oh and as with all insurance questions, call again in a couple days to double check with a different insurance Rep.

nicole mackenzie · March 2014

I called and a pump is covered 100%

Need a prescription first and to order it from dme supplier. They sent me a list.

I can order it before baby arrives... And should probably get that ball rolling!

dmosquera4 · March 2014

i have Aetna and it was 100% covered i really wanted the phillips avent so the way my insurance does it it that the have a list of medical suppliers that they work with and you order it through them they bill the insurance and you dont pay for anything. i ordered mine in dec but they said that i could get it until a month before my due date to make sure the insurance doesn't reject it. i did call first to see how much they covered and how they did everything, some insurances ask for prescriptions which your OB can do it, I've heard that others just cover rentals or just pay a certain amount and you will pay the difference. from the suppliers I've seen most have medela and ameda which i heard are pretty good too. but call your Insurance to see how much the cover and what you have to do to order it, the law says that you are entitled one so make sure you get it!!!

jet-setter · March 2014

My insurance will cover an electric double pump (either the Medela pump in style advance or another one I can't remember), but only if I get a prescription from the doctor after the baby is born for a medical necessity, and then through their selected medical supplier. I'm holding on to several of the GCs I received at my shower just in case my doctor can't come up with a medically necessary reason before I go back to work. One of my friends was able to order hers before the baby comes, though - different insurance, different policies.

BabyBsMommy · March 2014

As PP said, call your insurance company now. I called and they got the paperwork going. At my last dr appt, he said he filled out the paperwork on their end. I can't get mine until after the baby is born, but all the paperwork is in place. I got to pick between a hospital rental or a Medela.

mrsredmond2011 · March 2014

Go to this website www.sunmedmedical.com you just enter your info and insurance info and they contact insurance and do all the work for you. They will be in contact to let you know about what product and benefits you can get. I got a double electric medela pump for free and didn't have to talk to the insurance company wahoooo! Plus most insurance make you purchase pump and then try to reimburse you 50 or 100 dollars. Defiantly do this website! Glad a mom of 3 kids told me about this site! Glad I got pump for free

jenskurn · March 2014

Rachnan said:
Was able to get mine at 7 months with a perscription. I think it's an Ameda? Double electric pump. Was free and no shipping charge.

This

Wurrkingurrl · March 2014

It depends from company to company, so I would call to be sure, but for me, I can't order it until LO is born, and there are a list of approved medical supply companies I have to order from. I can get anything the company offers though, and it will be covered 100%. I CANNOT buy from a retail store and get reimbursed though.

Good luck

Elf2718 · March 2014

My provider has a grandfathered policy and they don't cover pumps at all. I think I'll be stuck formula feeding. I can't afford a $200 pump.

lcr23 · March 2014

Agreed definitely call your insurance company. I was told by insurance get a prescription and to go through a durable medical supplier. I called around to see which brands each carried. Since the policies are so different, I would have the medical equipment place verify with your insurance company rather than relying on what they've done for others in the past. When I went the woman told me I would have to pay towards the deductible and wait until the baby was born to get the pump - both of which we're incorrect.

Mustardseed2007 · March 2014

My insurance company has a phone number you call. You give your "member" number and then they ask you if you want the electric or manual and then they verified my address - they only have 1 brand you do get that choice. For us we didn't even have to pay for shipping. It showed up at our house a couple weeks later.

I have to say that I had put off ordering it for weeks and weeks b/c I was afraid it be a pain to order it, and then of course it was NBD.

RebeccaY1 · March 2014

We had to get a prescription, but then the insurance covers 100% of certain pumps.

patunia7321 · March 2014

Elf2718 said:

My provider has a grandfathered policy and they don't cover pumps at all. I think I'll be stuck formula feeding. I can't afford a $200 pump.

I think formula will cost wayyyy more than $200

Sisimama10 · March 2014

I got mine last week. Medela PUmp in style.

adored18 · March 2014

Elf2718 said:

My provider has a grandfathered policy and they don't cover pumps at all. I think I'll be stuck formula feeding. I can't afford a $200 pump.

:-/ Have you looked at the cost of formula?

RocksInTheWater · March 2014

My insurance with pay 80% for an electric pump. I need a prescription from my doctor then I can call the medical supply company directly and they will bill insurance. I need to remember to ask about that prescription at my appointment on Wed.

Elf2718 · March 2014

I have looked, but I don't even know if I'll be able to nurse, etc. It'll be something that will come later if at all.

Elf2718 · March 2014

I don't have the time to research breastfeeding. I work a ton and am completely naive about it all.

Elf2718 · March 2014

I'd love to plan....and have time, but unless I skip sleep altogether, research won't happen.

sparkles98 · March 2014

I am doubled insured and both of them only cover a rental which I think is kinda gross just the idea. So I went and bought one. I have bcbs and tricare.

sparkles98 · March 2014

You can have a lactation consultant come to you after you have the baby to get you started. Usually the nurses are knowledgable too.

imogenisis · March 2014

We have blue cross and they are completely covering one. When I called, I was given a few suppliers to order from. I went with Byram and filled out the order form online for the Medela (it's the medical supplier version of the freestyle). It won't actually be processed until a month prior to my EDD (so sometime this week).

Onelovelyginger · March 2014

I was able to get any one I wanted at any place I wanted at any time I wanted 100% covered as long as I sent in a receipt for reimbursement. It's just different for everybody.

Elf2718 · March 2014

The money is part of the problem....and no, not really do I have time to sit down and absorb the info. Could I read a book? Maybe....but will I retain the information? Doubtful.
My mind is all over these days ie pregnesia....and its hard enough for me to remember routine things at work! I'm sure I'll talk to a Lactation Consultant from the hospital after DS is born.
I'm mainly pissed that my insurance won't cover a damn thing. Unless is it deemed medically necessary, it is pushed aside.

sugarrush · March 2014

Elf2718 said:

The money is part of the problem....and no, not really do I have time to sit down and absorb the info. Could I read a book? Maybe....but will I retain the information? Doubtful. My mind is all over these days ie pregnesia....and its hard enough for me to remember routine things at work! I'm sure I'll talk to a Lactation Consultant from the hospital after DS is born. I'm mainly pissed that my insurance won't cover a damn thing. Unless is it deemed medically necessary, it is pushed aside.

Other ladies on the board have mentioned this and said that getting a Rx from their OB solved that issue. Just a thought.

dmosquera4 · March 2014

Elf2718 said:

My provider has a grandfathered policy and they don't cover pumps at all. I think I'll be stuck formula feeding. I can't afford a $200 pump.

i would still try to get one if you can or have a relative give as present maybe put it on your registry, for the price you are going to be paying for formula in the long run you mind as well, and you milk is free!

kbatchetee · March 2014

I talked to my nurse at my OB's office and she did everything for me. She said they had a great relationship with a company that was helping all their moms out. Within a day I had a phone call from National Rehab and after 4 days I had my breast pump. It is a Medela Pump in Style Starter kit. I still had to buy the tote bag and accessories that didn't come with it, but overall I was extremely pleased with how easy everything was. Oh, and National Rehab waived whatever my insurance didn't pay, so I didn't have to come out of pocket at all.

arichlife · March 2014

I actually just ordered mine today.
I called my Ins to see what the deal was and they have me a list of providers that are in-network which means my ins would cover 100% of the cost if I order through one of those providers. I ordered today but they don't start processing it until my due date is 30 days or less away (but that is in like 3 days for me). Then they will bill my insurance directly and send me the pump.
I also made sure to lookup each providers site and see what pumps they offered because it was different for each and only one of them offered the one I really had my eye on.

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Anyone looked into free breast pump from insurance co yet?

Re: Anyone looked into free breast pump from insurance co yet?

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