What pump did you use/recommend?

absolutelymaybe · October 2014

I've been calling around to my insurances (I'm double covered via United Healthcare and BCBS) and I'm kind of at a loss on what to do.

My primary, United, will cover the cost of purchasing a double-electric breast pump from the selection of their providers. It does not cover renting a hospital grade pump.

The secondary, BCBS, purchase coverage sounds similar to United, but they will cover renting 80% AFTER our deductible is met and only up to the purchase price of the pump. It sounds kind of like a hassle.

I plan to BF and pump and potentially EP, but I'm not sure a non-hospital grade is enough for twins.

My question: What did you use and would you recommend trying to work with the insurances to get a hospital grade or go the easier route with a standard double electric?

DivaMom22 · October 2014

We got the Medela pump and style but it's not as good as the hospital grade pump. I was actually on the phone with United today and they said they wouldn't cover renting it. But I am going to file an appeal anyways because as good as the pump and style is, it can lessen your supply. Plus it hurts me. So I am re-renting the hospital pump for another month.

absolutelymaybe · October 2014

@DivaMom22 how much does it cost to rent the hospital grade?

wille2b · October 2014

See if you can file a claim for a hospital rental, that's the only thing that worked for me. My insurance would not pay so I paid about $75 a month and it was worth it!!! I also had a PISA advanced and in a pinch it worked but I had to exclusively pumped so it just didn't cut it. Good luck!!!!

SV917 · October 2014

I pay $70/month for a hospital rental. I also have a Hygeia EnJoye, free fthrough insurance. I used the Hygeia for four months, but I EPed for one twin and it was burning out. Getting a rental was the only way I could have continued. I still use the Hygeia at work and in the car but these days it gets nothing compared to the hospital rental.

ETA: it really depends on how much you'll be pumping. If it's just a bottle here and there, then the double electric should be fine. I would go ahead and get that from United. If you need to rent, you should be able to get that relatively quickly. If you have NICU time to deal with and pumping for a baby/babies, the hospital should have a pump for you to use.

rcnavywife · October 2014

I rented a hospital grade pump for the first month to establish my supply, and have used the Medela Freestyle ever since for my triplets. I've been very happy with it. We supplement with formula as well, but that isn't the pumps fault, it's the lack of time I have to pump as much as we need!

DivaMom22 · October 2014

@absolutelymaybe our hospital charges $90 a month, but it's worth it

minirella · October 2014

I rented a medela hospital grade for $55 a month (I rented it for 4 months) but also had a medela swing (single electric) that I bought and used at work because the hospital grade became a PITA to take to the office each day. The hospital grade was faster but there was no difference in the amount of milk that I pumped.

carrotcake06 · October 2014

The twins were in the NICU for 13 days and I had access to a hospital grade pump at the hospital. I used a PISA at home, but essentially EPed the entire time they were in the NICU.

I returned to work when the twins were 3.5 mo and pumped 3x a day for them there plus one additional bonus pump per day. I got a PISA through insurance so I had one pump at home and one at work.

The old PISA seemed to crap out around 10mo or so. The insurance PISA was still going strong, though.

I pumped until they turned a year and we didn't have to supplement w formula.

At the end of the day, I think the frequency and duration of pumping matters more than double electric over hospital grade.

SBmomma · October 2014

With my son I EP'd for a year with a Medela Symphony that I rented from the hospital. Such a great pump. This time around I don't know if I will rent or buy. From everything I've heard over the years, Medela seems to be the best.

BabyKsMommy · October 2014

I of course haven't had my twins but my ds was in the NICU for a couple of days but they sent me home. So they gave me a hospital grade pump for a month for free. If I wanted to keep it longer, it was $50 a month.

I ended up buying a PISA which I really liked and I responded well to. But with twins I'm not for sure that I will use a pump except if they have nicu time.

legaleagles · October 2014

I EP right now (the boys occasionally nurse) - I have had a medela symphony from day 1. It was ordered by the hospital pediatrician because one of my boys was considered low birth weight. Their pediatrician prescribed the pump for 6 months so I've had it covered until the end of this month. I don't know if I'll keep renting it on my own or not.

I"ll be buying a spectra to use at work.

erinwithtwins · October 2014

I have united and already got my free Pisa from Byram healthcare. Super easy. Just filled out their online form

United said as soon as I have the babies I can be given a prescription for the hospital grade pump in the hospital then it will be covered. May have to pay the rental up front but with twins it will be covered. FYI Our rentals vary depending on what you are willing to pay up front. It gets much much cheaper if you you prepay a 3mo or 6 mo stint.

Good luck!

Odebdo · October 2014

I EP'd for 4 months...it is becoming too much with me back to work and them sleeping longer so working on moving them into formula slowly. I was told by the lactation consultants both in my breastfeeding class and in the NICU that to establish and maintain a supply I needed a hospital grade pump...we rented the same one our hospital used, ameda, and I had no problem maintaining and surpassing their eating needs. Going back to work and using my ameda home pump...I don't get as much...now that I am back to work 3 full days a week...it is getting too hard with pumping yet not getting too much... I definitely think the hospital grade pump was worth the $80 it cost to rent. Glad I was able to give them breastmilk, and ok with deciding it is time to quit now.

Want a personalized experience?

What pump did you use/recommend?

Re: What pump did you use/recommend?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards