Insured City Employees Denied Breast Pumps?!?

nycgirlkat · April 2014

I am beside myself!!! I submitted an order for a breast pump through my insurance last week only to get a call yesterday telling me, "insured city employees and their dependents are not eligible for no cost breast pumps, the city is exempt from the law". My head almost blew off my body!!!

This is the same city the prior mayor had formula locked up in hospitals in order to promote BFing. The hipocracy is staggering!!! Now I'm scrambling to find a surgical supply store nearby to rent a pump from.

I just had to vent. It's bad enough people like DH put their lives on the line on a daily basis, but their families can't receive the same benefits any hard working person would receive!?!? Shame on them!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

We have state employee insurance and our plan was grandfathered, too. So much for those great benefits that allegedly make up for crummy pay

nycgirlkat · April 2014

Rrrrrachel said:
We have state employee insurance and our plan was grandfathered, too. So much for those great benefits that allegedly make up for crummy pay

Exactly!!! What a bunch of BS!!! I've been bombarding the city with emails like a crazy lady!

adheaton1387 · April 2014

I called yesterday and my state health plan insurance doesn't cover a breast pump either. She just told me straight up no.

my stepmom bought me one as a gift thankfully but I was infuriated that they don't even cover partial cost or rental!

erikaja6 · April 2014

My husband is also an NYC employee and I just found out yesterday breast pumps aren't covered. I was really disappointed.

CalinAZ · April 2014

My husband is a professor for a state school here, and we also have a grandfathered plan that denies coverage for breast pumps. I know how incredibly frustrating that is and am sorry you're dealing with that

.

pdilly2b · April 2014

Check out Amazon too for breast pumps. Might have a better selection and better prices too.

Also, make sure you save your receipt. You should be able to submit for reimbursement to your health savings account if you have one (mine even reimburses for nursing bras in addition to milk storage bags, breast pads, pump parts, etc) or it may be directly deductible from your 2014 taxes because BF supplies are considered a special category. You'd have to do a little more research than I have to see how that works.

kk627 · April 2014

Yes, NYPD wife here - mine is not covered either.

kk627 · April 2014

So I was completely lurking and forgot I wasn't on my board. Sorry for butting in April Mamas!

nycgirlkat · April 2014

Hey KK, I just sent you a PM.

Avion22 · April 2014

Acers said:

I'm in the same boat with Tricare...Military insurance is exempt from the rule. That $250 pump better not let me down!

Yeah, apparently Tricare is a "benefit" and not "insurance" so it's not subject to ACA. On the other hand, I figure I didn't pay a single dime out of pocket for any of my care, whereas a lot of people with insurance have high deductibles to meet (sometimes several thousand dollars) in order to get their "free" breast pump. I'd rather pay $200 (got a great deal on Amazon) and pick whatever pump I want.

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Insured City Employees Denied Breast Pumps?!?

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