I know this is a fairly limited use thread as there are more non military people in June moms, but this is huge news. And I was afraid if I stuck it under an established thread it might not be seen as well.
In short ladies, Tricare is finally done 'writing policies' on breastpumps, and it looks like we can finally be like everyone else - get a script, and go to a pharmacy or medical equipment provider and get one with no out of pocket cost! Huzzah!
I'm going to check with Tricare to be sure on Monday (its already past business hours where I am and we know you can't reach a soul on the weekend) but still... Huzzah!
https://m.military.com/daily-news/2015/06/05/new-tricare-policy-gives-free-breast-pumps.html
Re: Good news for Tricare moms! Breastpumps, finally!
Yeah , exactly. When it comes to the military and Tricare you never know when common sense will apply. I just also read an article that said they are petitioning the army to write a policy about mandating a room for pumping for service moms. Apparently only the Army doesn't have a policy on it. Both that article and this breast pump one made me think of you, and I know we have another military spouse that is fairly active on the board, and I think another active duty mom, too.
Of course when I try to call on Monday I bet I will be on hold for HOURS. And you can email Tricare, but they say they will 'reply within 30 days'. Sure, that's helpful
8-|I'll try giving them a call as well! If you get through can you post about your experience ?? I'll do the same! Lol
Well ladies, I got a message yesterday from another military spouse who said she was able to reach her Tricare provider before close of business yesterday and they still trotted out the same old line about its not covered except for premies with medical nessecity and all that bs. I still am going to call on Monday, since it IS Tricare we all know half the time the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing, or the pointer finger doesn't know the middle finger is giving us the big eff you. The source for the article had to come from SOMEWHERE. We all know military.com is usually a reliable source of news and they wouldn't just throw that out there with no reasoning. So maybe they (tricare) need the weekend or the next business day (Monday) to get the memo from whomever up high about the change.
I'm still planning on calling on Monday and when I do if they tell me the same old line I'm going to ask whomever to have their supervisor check with higher ups. I know I won't get an answer right away that way, but if suddenly a lot of people within Tricare are asking questions it may help to spread the word down the line, you know?
Hopefully we'll have good news Monday or Tuesday. But I would advise calling before we all run out to the pharmacies
Whatever. All the military families thank you for what you said. ❤
For myself, I would probably rather try to wait and possibly rent a pump from the hospital for a few weeks, THEN wait until after implementation on July 1st to just go to a local provider and get one. But that's me, because I don't want to spend the $ outright and then wait to be reimbursed. But of course everybody's situation is different.
Here's the link
https://breastfeedingincombatboots.com/?s=tricare&submit=Search
I'm active duty and I've been chasing this down for the last 3 months. I just got an email from my Dr. this morning, she'll put in a prescription for me to get one, but I have to wait to 1 Jul to get Tricare to cover it (otherwise I have to do a reimbursement). I had issues finding what a "Tricare" medical supplier/provider was. After calling Tricare (SOUTH for me), they pointed to their website where you could search for a medical provider or "durable medical supplier". I found one in my local area and I hope to go through after 1 Jul.
Link for the Tricare policy manual is https://manuals.tricare.osd.mil/DisplayManualFile.aspx?Manual=TP08&Change=136&Type=ChangeOnly&Filename=TP08C-136COComposite.pdf
This is awesome!! I had applied for a breastpump through Aeroflow Healthcare and had no idea until the representative told me. She took my information and is going to call me back the first week of July to check into it more and hopefully get me a free pump!!