LC question

lest12 · June 2014

I've been reading along with all you bf-ing moms, and see that many of you have used a lactation consultant after leaving the hospital. I didn't realize this was an available service. How does it work? Do you use the person from the hospital? Do they work independently? How do you work with them (at home visits, over the phone, etc). And if you don't mind my asking, do you pay out of pocket? Through insurance? If out-of-pocket, is it expensive? Whatever you feel like sharing would be awesome! Like I said, I didn't realize this was an option so I'm just wondering how it would work! TIA and keep up the great work, all of you

katekat8721 · June 2014

Mine is through our hospital/insurance. It's a covered service. I had one I saw in the hospital while I was there, and once I left we scheduled appts with the in clinic LC. We have Kaiser so it's all in network. We saw her every week, including today, where we decided to move to phone appts and then see how it goes! From my understanding, a lot of BFing services are now covered because it's so good for mom and baby

lest12 · June 2014

It's awesome that some insurances cover it! I'm going to check my coverage tomorrow!

katekat8721 · June 2014

lest12 said:
It's awesome that some insurances cover it! I'm going to check my coverage tomorrow!

I bet they will! Good luck!

chickpea912 · June 2014

I don't know if my insurance covers it. I go to a BFing support group once a week (sometimes), which is staffed with two LCs - free since I gave birth at that hospital. I know the LC I saw in the hospital gave me her card and it seemed like a "we can meet up later if you want," but I have no idea how much it would have been.

cinnamonsmiles · June 2014

Inside baby here - but we have two at the hospital on post (the one at the hospital off-post just got laid off with no replacement to save money - bad sign IMO) as well as an IBCLC available to anyone in the community. You can request the LC to visit Mother-Baby Room (on insurance) but as for later visits you would need to call the lady in town and pay on your own dime.

Thankfully the local lady is amazing, has a fantastic personality, and makes house calls. I'd rather have her than the on-post people for sure, even if I had to pay out of pocket.

Buuut it may work differently under a non-govt insurance. Good luck figuring it out though!

elsa1688 · June 2014

Up here in the crunchy PNW, there was a LC at the hospital that came around each day and answered questions / helped out. There is also an LC at the hospital that I made an appt with a few days after (also at the hospital) that room my insurance. There's also a ton of drop in support groups with a LC in my area that all cost around $10.

JulieSmiles · June 2014

I go to one through my ped. From what I understand, and I could be wrong, Obamacare requires insurance to cover it. I have gone into the office ever other day. They help me get latched and do weighed feedings. They will also answer any questions over the phone and try to help tgat way. My nurse at the hospital was also an LC. She was amazing and helped get me off on the right track. I highly suggest seeing an LC if you are BF.

tbmadeamistake · June 2014

My hospital has two on staff and they both make the rounds on the recovery floorbas a matter of course. They have an office in the hospital and you can make an appt with then when you leave or any time after. They have a scale in their room for weighed feedings. While in recovery its part of your stay and gets billed as such. Once you become an out patient each visit gets billed. Last time it was covered for me. We have a new insurance and it's not anymore. I have been playing phone tag with them to see what an out of pocket visit would cost, bit they also have a moms group that is free that meets once a week and you can do weighed feedings there. They also have a hotline you can call with questions.

There are also ibclc (iblcl?) that are local that I could call. There is a website with a search function based on zip code to find one.

jshrop · June 2014

Our hospital trained every nurse on staff to assist with BF and are getting some "breast feeding accreditation" so they can provide donor milk etc through the hospital. They also have 3 IBCLC ladies that make rounds daily. My peds office also has an LC on staff that they provide free of charge. He pays for her services (although I'm sure my insurance pays either her services or a higher fee to him).

I do believe that ACA requires some sort of LC service be provided. I have Tricare which basically doesn't pay for anything, so be sure to call your carrier before you go to the hospital. Like a PP said there are likely support groups in your area that may have one available.

MrsRahl · June 2014

Our pedi office has one you can see for free every time you see the doctor. If you need to see just her you make a sick visit appointment and see her then still see the doctor anyway because they don't bill the insurance for her just for the doc. Their way around insurance issues really. You get a weight check with doc and lactation consultant is free. They know most insurance won't cover her but they eat the cost to help get more mom's bf. Which I think is pretty awesome.

babygabe614 · June 2014

My hospital will have an LC come see me right after baby is born, which is their standard procedure. Then I can make appts either with that LC or one through my ped and my insurance covers a certain # of visits/year if I remember correctly. Since it's considered a specialist visit I will pay a $40 copay each time and I believe I can see them either in office or at my home. HTH!

MrsRahl · June 2014

@Babywear‌ the more you post about Australia the more I want to move there! Ugh! I'm currently trying to figure out how to pay for 4k in medical bills for this LO. That is WITH insurance!!!

MrsAMB07 · June 2014

I called to make an LC appointment today through the hospital, and she told me that LC services are now covered 100% by insurance due to Obamacare and that there's no out of pocket fee. We have crappy private insurance, but she said it didn't matter. I am so happy!

I wanted to share here when I read this. I would assume that it's like the breast pumps and all insurances have to cover at least a minimum amount. Definitely check it out!

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