Insurance/ breast pumps

dragonfly711 · April 2014

I am bummed. I wanted the Medela Pump in Style Advance breast pump. I checked with my insurance and the only one that they will give for Medela is the Advanced Personal Double Breast Pump with practically nothing included. No bag very basic, simple. We have pretty good insurance I cant believe that they do not give better options. When I go back to work I work 9-10 hour days with an hour commute home each way. I need one that is going to last. I wish insurance was a little more helpful. I did hear that if you buy your own you can get a tax credit so might have to go that route. Was so hoping this would be one thing I didnt have to buy.

Ok sorry for the vent.

dragonfly711 · April 2014

quinncat said:

Is it the same pump without all the extras? You could always purchase the extras? I just ordered my pump through one of my insurances preferred medical suppliers and I was able to upgrade and pay the difference. My insurance company did not tell me that, the supplier did. Is that an option for you?

@quinncat

I am looking into that

and yup same pump just worded different found that out after some digging around hehehe Yeah my insurance said they would not let me pay the difference but going to call the companies and see if I can. So much hidden stuff you have to look into. a friend is actually the one that told me it was the same one. THanks for the info!!!

JilliansMoma · April 2014

This annoyed me too. We gave great insurance that we pay through the nose for and I went in to get my breat pump and they gave me a manual hand pump. It looks like I'm flipping trying to air up bike tires! I was bummed. GL and I hope you get what you need! JM

MrsDL · April 2014

Many insurance companies don't cover breast pumps unless they're medical grade rentals. We have awesome coverage as well and with my son it wasn't covered. I ended-up just buying Medela Pump In Style and paying out-of-pocket. Do you have a healthcare flexible spending account? I was able to get reimbursed for it using that. I understand it's just one more thing you may have to buy, but out of all the things I purchased this was probably the best investment. Nursing can be difficult enough, especially when you're a working mom, and a good pump was vital to my sanity. I nursed for a little over a year. Buying it was still worth every cent.

cornflwr33 · April 2014

I called my insurance and i can get an electric double pump, I was given 3 companies to go thru mail order- I hadn't called them yet- planning on doing that tomorrow. Not sure how soon I can actually order it. I am due Sept 1. I'm sure i'll be told when I call for information.

dragonfly711 · April 2014

SuburbsMrs said:
Maybe try working through Aeroflow Healthcare https://breastpumps.aeroflowinc.com/

I've heard they will deal with your insurance for you and allow you to do upgrades. I know the companies ask you to go through the mail order folks but you might be able to go through another group. They are supposed to have great reviews for customer service.

I don't know I've never dealt with them but when I was researching it came up.

@SuburbsMrs
Thanks I emailed them. They don't work with my insurance company. Was bummed.

dragonfly711 · April 2014

cornflwr33 said:
I called my insurance and i can get an electric double pump, I was given 3 companies to go thru mail order- I hadn't called them yet- planning on doing that tomorrow. Not sure how soon I can actually order it. I am due Sept 1. I'm sure i'll be told when I call for information.

@cornflwr33‌
Yeah I have 3 websites to look at as well. I found out that the one I want is the one they have but nothing comes with it. No carting bag or cooler. Bit bummed about that but I think I found out what I can use to put it in. Just stinks that you can't get that stuff with it

dragonfly711 · April 2014

MrsDL said:
Many insurance companies don't cover breast pumps unless they're medical grade rentals. We have awesome coverage as well and with my son it wasn't covered. I ended-up just buying Medela Pump In Style and paying out-of-pocket. Do you have a healthcare flexible spending account? I was able to get reimbursed for it using that. I understand it's just one more thing you may have to buy, but out of all the things I purchased this was probably the best investment. Nursing can be difficult enough, especially when you're a working mom, and a good pump was vital to my sanity. I nursed for a little over a year. Buying it was still worth every cent.

@MrsDL
No we don't have a flexible spending account. Researching more I think I can get the pump in style that is the one I wanted. It just comes with the pump no bag, no cooler to go with it. I work 9 hr days w 1 commute home so was a bit bummed that stiff doesn't come w it. Even If I had to pay a little extra. I looked up to buy the bag and it is like $100.00. No can do.

I think I found something I can use. Just bummed it doesn't come w it. Glad however that I think it is the pump I wanted.

MrsDL · April 2014

I would also check e-bay. I've seen them on there, new and used. You might be able to at least get the bag at a deep discount. Good luck!

Jennys9 · April 2014

My insurance will pay for a single electric up to $178, and then if I want a double or a more expensive model I pay the difference.

Perhaps you could call them back & see if an option could be to pay the difference to get the pump you wanted?

dragonfly711 · April 2014

Jennys9 said:
My insurance will pay for a single electric up to $178, and then if I want a double or a more expensive model I pay the difference.
Perhaps you could call them back & see if an option could be to pay the difference to get the pump you wanted?

@Jennys9 yeah I asked already they will not let me pay the difference.

Jennys9 · April 2014

dragonfly711 said:

My insurance will pay for a single electric up to $178, and then if I want a double or a more expensive model I pay the difference.
Perhaps you could call them back & see if an option could be to pay the difference to get the pump you wanted?
@Jennys9 yeah I asked already they will not let me pay the difference.

I'm sorry- that's really crummy since it would not cost them anything more.

Want a personalized experience?

Insurance/ breast pumps

Re: Insurance/ breast pumps

Choose Another Board

Search Boards