Breast Pump Coverage/Insurance

Sockgnome78 · July 2014

So I called last to find out about breast Pump coverage. One of the other threads on here reminded me of it. I was told that they were covered up to 100% and a number to call. So I called back today to see if it was one I could buy or if it was a rental. Come to find out it was a rental. I am not real kin on rentals for this as the risk factors I believe go up if not cleaned right (no scientific data. Just what I feel). DH is grossed out by it also. So now I am looking at buying one. So now I am freaking out about people being grossed out if they see accessories on my registry.
Am I just a prude and over thinking it or should I ask for the accessories. I am all for buying the actual pump on my own.

MrsSinner402 · July 2014

I have bottles and accessories on my registry. I'd say as long as you're not registering for nipple pads and creams its fine.

vrj0522 · July 2014

I think that after you rent it for so long, they end up giving it to you. I talked to someone from the insurance company and she said they don't normally take the pumps back, but I'm not sure since I've never rented one.

AppleGrapeMSTK · July 2014

My insurance will cover the purchase of a pump from their limited options, or the rental of a hospital grade pump, which you pick up from a pharmacy, so it's a closed system and has been sterilized between uses and such- all of the necessary accessories are included new and do not need to be returned.

I would not think twice about seeing breast shields and flanges and membranes and such on a registry, but I probably wouldn't purchase those as a gift. If you are putting them on your registry in hopes that you receive them at your shower, people may opt for buying the cuter items that you want first. If you are putting them on your registry for the completion coupon, feel free, no one will judge you or think it's icky.

DaniGrace89 · July 2014

Yeah I wouldn't worry about putting it on your registry

If people are freaked out, they can ignore it.

But most places have a discount to complete registry, so it is good to have on there so you can buy the stuff discounted.

JessAnnJ · July 2014

I wouldn't worry about risk factors associated with rental pumps. The issue with the rental is they are larger and harder to transport. I rented a Medela pump for about six months at a cost of almost $70 a month and then I switched to an Ameda which was under $60 for the next six months. If you need a hospital grade pump cost wise your insurance saves you more by offering a rental. I EPed so a hospital grade helped me keep my supply up. I would probably get the hospital pump and make sure breastfeeding worked out before I spent my own money buying one.

Regarding your other question I wouldn't be grossed out by accessories, but I would be surprised if someone decided to purchase them.

jcsumm0 · July 2014

A hospital grade rental pump is much better quality than anything you can buy, and you get your own parts that come into contact with your milk and skin, so that part is not reused from one person to the next.

I think it's fine to put those things on your registry.

Jbunny100 · July 2014

Ditto @jcsummo0
If you have any supply issues you will find hospital grade pumps do a much better job than anything you can buy.

I would put it on the register. At my office we ended up chipping in a bunch of money and got one girl a pump (gave it to her out of the office of course).

Sorry about your insurance. Last time my insurance company told me I could only purchase the actual pump and no accessories from a medical supply company of their choice. It was a pain so I bought one on my own. This time around we have new insurance and they told me they will cover any pump from Target once I am within 30 days of my due date. That's a heck of a lot easier.

Sockgnome78 · July 2014

I am going to call the rental company to see what to a rental cost. If it is covered up to 100%. Buying one might not be a a good idea.

baly3225 · July 2014

Insurance companies can really be a pain. I talked to my insurance company pretty early about a breast pump bc I knew there could be issues.

I would put all the pump stuff on your registry. Most places give you a certain % off for registry completion. I put everything (including the nipple pads

trisharenee0316 · July 2014

From an efficiency perspective, the hospital grade pumps are a bazillion times better than retail pumps for helping to establish and keep up a milk supply. I personally wouldn't take a used retail pump, but as a PP said, the hospital grade pumps are closed systems, so there's no risk of contamination between users and you provide your own tubing, flanges, etc. I would much rather have my insurance cover a rental hospital grade pump than provide me with my own retail pump!

Sockgnome78 · July 2014

Well I found out that the rental is mine to keep. So that really changes my mind. So I just have to have my OB send in a script and also put a request for the band which will be the Medela and what type I would like. Then it will be sent to me. I know the hospital style is the best. BUT I cam not tell my DH that spending $2300 on a pump is okay when we don't know if I will have the supply or not.

trisharenee0316 · July 2014

Whoa, you get to keep it! That's amazing! Much better deal than the Medela PISA I got from my insurance company.

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