Military mom's or spouses!!!!

cvweist · April 2015

I HAVE JUST SEEN THE PRICES FOR BREAST PUMPS. HORRIBLE! !!! Does Tricare help get that at all????

kehags · April 2015

Only under certain conditions. I think a NICU stay is one.

jwebb0512 · April 2015

Yep, just like PP said. With DS1, Tricare would only pay if it was considered 'medically necessary'. We had to buy our own, but got it through our hospital and their lactation department (I didn't deliver at the on on-post hospital). It was dramatically cheaper that way. I'd just call Tricare and ask to be sure. Things could've changed in the last 2 years since my son was born! Sometimes you can rent them from the hospital if buying is too costly.

sweetpeasmom315 · April 2015

From what I read when I had DD they only cover it if the baby is premature.

frenchbulldogmom · April 2015

The Navy NEX is having its baby sale starting April 15th. The medela "on the go" is on sale for 199! Sucks that tricare won't pay, so I'm going to take advantage of the sale.

BeachBabe22 · April 2015

It's worth it to invest in a good pump. I used my Medela pump in style advance for 13 months without any problems and plan to use it again this time.

WaterBabs11 · April 2015

My Army midwife said Tricare doesn't pay yet (unless premature etc.) but that they might be paying soon so to stay tuned and keep your receipt if you buy one on your own in case Tricare gets around to approving them and you can get a refund.

skoontz09 · April 2015

If you have wic or you might be able to just go to the wic office on your base and loan one I did that for my last child and plan on doing it again this time around they give you new everything but the actual machine and it was the hospital grade Medela pump

Growingapepper · April 2015

Tricare is supposed to pay for pumps according to some new insurance mandate or bill thing. But they are still working on implementing it, I've read a couple articles that say keep your receipt, they will probably refund you the money after they finish. And also like some others said, under special circumstances with a preemie they are covered.

booksandcleverness81 · April 2015

Not yet, but under Obamacare pumps are supposed to be covered. So since Tricare is not technically Obamacare but still a government system they should eventually have it mandated. I have a friend who is giving me hers since she just finished with it, but I also stopped by the thrift store on base the other day and saw some pump accessories really cheap (and got a bouncer for only $6!). If your base has one I would start checking there or with friends/craig's list/etc for used ones. Also look into WIC, it looks like that may get you a loaner for free!