Insurance Covers Breast Pumps?!

bride92310 · May 2015

Just a short PSA for those of you who might not know...

I'm a STM and it was just pointed out to me this week that my insurance company will cover a breast pump for me!

I was directed to www.pumpingessentials.com by a co-worker who just received her breast pump for free, and will be returning the one I bought on Tuesday as soon as I get the free one in the mail.

Has anyone else used this website? She was very happy with the speediness of delivery and how it easy it was to get.

ksimo6 · May 2015

I got mine through a medical supply place near our hospital. Just needed a prescription.

MrsWiggleWaggle · May 2015

I think there have been some threads about this, but I want to note that this is not fully correct!!
Not all insurance policies cover this!! Some have been grandfathered in some are generally exempt and some on the board don't live in the U.S. So call before you make a claim! And are out of pocket at the medical device suppliers price, and can't return. Trust me this just happened to me! My big fat mistake cost me an extra 75 bucks!

bride92310 · May 2015

@MrsWiggleWaggle

Seriously? That stinks!

All I had to do was register, provide my insurance information, and the website pulled up all of the available packages for me. I could opt for the add-ons with an additional cost, or select one of the free options.

My doctor's office will have to provide a prescription, but that's the only other thing I have to get to be approved.

I do live in the U.S., just to clarify.

ElRuby · May 2015

Yummymummystore.com made the whole process so easy and had my pump in two days!

You specify what insurance you have and they show you what pumps are covered.

MrsWiggleWaggle · May 2015

@bride92310 I know right!
@ElRuby that's who I used!! I thought my insurance was good since they had it listed etc. etc. it went through no issues...then BAM! denied. I have no idea why some policies are grandfathered in but it was an ugly lesson for me!

ElRuby · May 2015

MrsWiggleWaggle said:
@bride92310 I know right!
@ElRuby that's who I used!! I thought my insurance was good since they had it listed etc. etc. it went through no issues...then BAM! denied. I have no idea why some policies are grandfathered in but it was an ugly lesson for me!

That stinks!! Ugh well at least they deny you instead of charge you.

Knottie64157109 · May 2015

Anthem of CA covers it fully. I ordered online through edgepark.com and I was very happy with how simple it was.

LaurenS119 · May 2015

I also ordered through edgepark.com, super fast and easy.

katelynngould94 · May 2015

I got mine through target.com with my insurance super easy and I picked it up same day in the store

47923ang · May 2015

I used the babies r us breast pump service. (They partner with McKesson). I called on a Wednesday, they confirmed everything with my insurance, sent me an email with my choices, and I had a breast pump at my house on Monday.

https://t.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=22729026

Frogger5 · May 2015

MrsWiggleWaggle said:
@bride92310 I know right!
@ElRuby that's who I used!! I thought my insurance was good since they had it listed etc. etc. it went through no issues...then BAM! denied. I have no idea why some policies are grandfathered in but it was an ugly lesson for me!

This was the website I was directed to as well. The insurance rep I spoke with told me what two options I had, but there were more "available" on the website. I didn't actually order one yet, but I'm wondering maybe if that happened to you? Like the website just wasn't accurate? I don't know if you resolved it already, but if you didn't actually get the approved pumps from your insurance company, I'd try that.

janat1717 · May 2015

I can't get mine through insurance til the baby's born

newman373 · May 2015

You ladies should try areoflow inc. They are super easy. Ordered mine today and I'm still 4 weeks out. They said it would only take 5 days and I had quite a few options and upgrades if I wanted them.

klkonwi · May 2015

@janit368 I also can't get mine until proof baby is born. I think it's really dumb.

LolaMarley23 · May 2015

I got mine through a link on this site: https://www.breastpumps.aeroflowinc.com/

It was a very simple process. I did have one hiccup though when my insurance company billed me for the pump. I called the person I was working with through Aeroflow and he said he contacted them to approve the pump I picked out, so the error is on their end and he will handle it and even if a payment is due, Aeroflow will cover the cost. Everything worked out in the end and I didn't have to pay for anything! (I have BCBS of MN, FYI)

a&j1 · May 2015

Try mommyxpress

lilitaliangirl · May 2015

I agree with Aeroflow. They were so easy and quick to work with. And, they did all the work.

Sammy K · May 2015

Thanks for the websites! I know I can't request mine until I'm within 30 days of EDD and I need a prescription.

amabarne · May 2015

My husband's company decided to exclude coverage of breast pumps. It really ticked me off. I thought for sure they would because they've been wonderful about everything else! BCBS TX.

SarahBaby87 · May 2015

Mine said 30 days before. But when I called they said I could place the order now and they just wouldn't process it until the 30 day mark. One less thing for me to think about doing later!

Kbchavez23 · May 2015

I used aeroflow as well. It was as easy as filling out a form, picking out a pump, and confirming my address.

aj1327 · May 2015

I used Aeroflow too. So easy! It had to be 39 days away from my due date, so I picked my pump on Monday and it just arrived. Like PPs have said, they did all the work

brittyratch · May 2015

Thank you all so much for pointing me to Aeroflow! Soooo easy and they are sending me my pump today! Really a life saver

Kresla · May 2015

Picked mine up today! I'm at 35 almost 36 weeks. Doctor wrote me a prescription on Friday and I took the prescription into today and walked out with a brand new medela double breastpump. I'm glad I was able to get before baby so I can clean it, get to know it, and bring it to the hospital.

zxxiv2 · May 2015

I placed my order a week or so ago. I'm 36 weeks now but my insurance won't allow them to ship until 10 days prior to my due date.

however I did opt for the higher "retail" model which will cost less than $100. Score!!

Serenamarr · May 2015

zxxiv2 said:
I placed my order a week or so ago. I'm 36 weeks now but my insurance won't allow them to ship until 10 days prior to my due date. however I did opt for the higher "retail" model which will cost less than $100. Score!!

This! So annoying- don't they know pregnant women like to plan ahead? I don't want to wait to get it because what if I hate it or it doesn't work? Darn insurance.

staceyfern · May 2015

So I got mine a couple of months ago. I ordered it through my doctors office. I thought everything was all good until I got a $250 bill 2 days ago. I thought the whole thing was covered. Big bummer especially since I'm not completely sure I'm gonna like breastfeeding.

Frogger5 · May 2015

staceyfern said:
So I got mine a couple of months ago. I ordered it through my doctors office. I thought everything was all good until I got a $250 bill 2 days ago. I thought the whole thing was covered. Big bummer especially since I'm not completely sure I'm gonna like breastfeeding.

Don't just pay that bill, call and talk to someone first. They might reimburse you, or they might have made a mistake. If you didn't go through the "proper channels" and that's why they aren't paying, maybe you can return it and get one another way. That's enough money to get to the bottom of it! Also don't be afraid to ask to talk to a supervisor or just call back and try a different person if the first answer doesn't seem right. It's all new policy, so some people are still unsure of the new rules, even if they work at the insurance company.

laurendutch · May 2015

staceyfern said:
So I got mine a couple of months ago. I ordered it through my doctors office. I thought everything was all good until I got a $250 bill 2 days ago. I thought the whole thing was covered. Big bummer especially since I'm not completely sure I'm gonna like breastfeeding.

Usually you have to obtain the pump through in an in network durable medical equipment (DME) company.

47923ang · May 2015

staceyfern said:
So I got mine a couple of months ago. I ordered it through my doctors office. I thought everything was all good until I got a $250 bill 2 days ago. I thought the whole thing was covered. Big bummer especially since I'm not completely sure I'm gonna like breastfeeding.

Definitely call your insurance to ask. If you truly owe the $250, they'll at least be able to explain why. Maybe you need to reach your deductible before it would be 100% paid.

Sammy K · May 2015

Insurance typically covers the most basic models, so if you got an upgraded version, you might have to pay the difference. But you also might be able to return it if it's unopened.

Cmchenry10 · May 2015

Depends in your insurance carriers plan, lots of things have changed due to health care act... with my specific insurance BCBS you must obtain a script then get an authorization with insurance and choose a medical supply store covered under your insurance umbrella.

MsPrettyT · May 2015

Edgepark.com is a great site for insurance coverage pumps. I literally completed the online order form with my EDD, address along with my OB an Insurance Providers information and I received an email regarding confirmation of my DOB and received my Awesome Electronic Medela Breastfeeding system within a week. No bill at all, I have Employer Humana POS.

Good Luck, happy Pumping!!

rachelleck · May 2015

I used Breast Pump Solutions and called 1-855-567-8669. I gave them my insurance information and they emailed me options of what pumps my insurance would fully cover, and well as upgrade options. Then you just have to send in a prescription or get your doctor to send one.

My insurance company had told me I had to go through a medical supply store with a prescription, but no store in my area carried Medela brand pumps, or if they did they wouldn't accept my insurance. I was so relieved when I found this number! It was on a magnet from Babies R Us of all things.

Frogger5 · May 2015

YOU GUYS. Each of the hundreds of insurance companies and plans that we all have is going to be different in how you get your pump, what models they cover, etc. There is NO POINT in sharing phone numbers, websites, etc. One person's BCBS in Texas is totally different from another's BCBS in Texas. Just call the number for customer service on your own insurance card and talk to them directly.

I know this is an old thread, and maybe some people were helped by some of this specific info, but really, it's like asking about your specific hospital or doctor. We just don't know, and why would you trust us anyway?

Patience in all areas is running thin.

jessicarae0316 · May 2015

Frogger5 said:
YOU GUYS. Each of the hundreds of insurance companies and plans that we all have is going to be different in how you get your pump, what models they cover, etc. There is NO POINT in sharing phone numbers, websites, etc. One person's BCBS in Texas is totally different from another's BCBS in Texas. Just call the number for customer service on your own insurance card and talk to them directly.

I know this is an old thread, and maybe some people were helped by some of this specific info, but really, it's like asking about your specific hospital or doctor. We just don't know, and why would you trust us anyway?

Patience in all areas is running thin.

I found the links and phone numbers to be extremely helpful. I called my insurance company directly and they were useless. They gave me an address to a local place that didn't exist and the phone number they gave was a fax number. That was after 15 minutes of trying to explain what I was looking for.

These places probably have more experience dealing with insurance companies. They should be able to tell you who covers which pump and if there is a cost involved.

My OB also told me that my hospital offers the service, too. I've decided to wait and see if they can get me what I need, but if not I will be trying one of the places above.

If it annoys you so much and it's no use to you, don't click on it.

Frogger5 · May 2015

jessicarae0316 said:

Frogger5 said:
YOU GUYS. Each of the hundreds of insurance companies and plans that we all have is going to be different in how you get your pump, what models they cover, etc. There is NO POINT in sharing phone numbers, websites, etc. One person's BCBS in Texas is totally different from another's BCBS in Texas. Just call the number for customer service on your own insurance card and talk to them directly.

I know this is an old thread, and maybe some people were helped by some of this specific info, but really, it's like asking about your specific hospital or doctor. We just don't know, and why would you trust us anyway?

Patience in all areas is running thin.

I found the links and phone numbers to be extremely helpful. I called my insurance company directly and they were useless. They gave me an address to a local place that didn't exist and the phone number they gave was a fax number. That was after 15 minutes of trying to explain what I was looking for.

These places probably have more experience dealing with insurance companies. They should be able to tell you who covers which pump and if there is a cost involved.

My OB also told me that my hospital offers the service, too. I've decided to wait and see if they can get me what I need, but if not I will be trying one of the places above.

If it annoys you so much and it's no use to you, don't click on it.

That was really helpful advice there at the end, thanks. Hope you don't get stuck with a $350 pump your company won't pay for, but whatevs.

jessicarae0316 · May 2015

That was really helpful advice there at the end, thanks. Hope you don't get stuck with a $350 pump your company won't pay for, but whatevs.

None of those companies are going to ship out a $350 pump without the guarantee that they are going to be paid for it. Obvs I wouldn't just hand out my credit card info to them without knowing what I would be covered, but thanks for your well wishes.

Serenamarr · May 2015

jessicarae0316 said:

That was really helpful advice there at the end, thanks. Hope you don't get stuck with a $350 pump your company won't pay for, but whatevs.

None of those companies are going to ship out a $350 pump without the guarantee that they are going to be paid for it. Obvs I wouldn't just hand out my credit card info to them without knowing what I would be covered, but thanks for your well wishes.

Actually I'm pretty sure someone shared earlier in this thread about that exact thing happening to them- they ordered their pump thinking it was paid for then got a $250 bill... Yikes!

jessicarae0316 · May 2015

Sure, which is why it would be important to ask what your deductible or out of pocket costs are before getting a pump from any company.

If you have that conversation and they say $0 yet send you a bill, I would be sending the pump back.

Either way they should know the answer to that, and if not, it would be wise to look elsewhere.

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