Breast pump

MoRay05 · August 2015

Hi Ladies!

I'd thought I share my experience incase it could be beneficial to anyone else.

I called my insurance (BC) to see about ordering my breast pump. She told me I would have to register for it, then once I'm in the hospital and had the baby I would have to call and tell them. They would then mail it. I thought it was a little of an inconvenience and probably the last thing on my mind after I have the baby.

Last week I went in for my glucose test and the nurse gave me a prescription for a breast pump. She said to just bring it to your pharmacy and they will order it. Well, all the ones I called said they no longer order them. I googled "ordering breast pump through pharmacy" and the Target Breast Pump Program popped up. I called, gave them my info and was approved within a few hours. Once you have ordered it you can either pick it up at curtain locations or have it mailed to you. She said I should receive it within 14 days.

Bettytteb · August 2015

Glad that it worked out! I got mine through my insurance (Aetna) super easily and it arrived last week!

aproulx725 · August 2015

Target was awesome for me too, it was so quick and easy!

scw89 · August 2015

I did mine through babies r us and had it in 3 days! They did all the work for me

dogsombrero · August 2015

I got mine at the breast boutique at the hospital with my first. I will probably do the same this time unless I need a medical grade rental if the twins come early so I am waiting. Definitely look to see if any of the hospitals in your area have a breast boutique because they carried every kind of nursing bra in every size, pump accessories including hard to find different shield sizes.

As someone who EPed for 10 months I can tell you that most likely you will need to go up a shield size at some point and you may need a smaller/larger shield than the one included so definitely have it sized by an LC in the hospital.

JLW0504 · August 2015

Most insurance companies use DME facilities called A Plus Breast Pumps by Yummy Mummy, 1-855-879-8669, A Breast Pump and More, 1-855-786-7269 and Apria, 1-800-962-7742.

MoRay05 · August 2015

dogsombrero said:
I got mine at the breast boutique at the hospital with my first. I will probably do the same this time unless I need a medical grade rental if the twins come early so I am waiting. Definitely look to see if any of the hospitals in your area have a breast boutique because they carried every kind of nursing bra in every size, pump accessories including hard to find different shield sizes.

As someone who EPed for 10 months I can tell you that most likely you will need to go up a shield size at some point and you may need a smaller/larger shield than the one included so definitely have it sized by an LC in the hospital.

I had to send DH to babies r us to buy every size they had so I could find the right one! I could kick myself bc I through out all my old accessories and didn't think to look at the shield size.

Tracyjean22P · August 2015

I used the same type of thing through Babies R Us. "breast pump solution" center. Wicked easy! I did however pay for an upgrade because I'm a teacher and I really wanted the travel tote for when I go back to work!

FilmFreak933 · August 2015

I have Blue Cross, and I was told I need to get a prescription from my doctor and then just go to any medical supply store. My next appointment is tomorrow, so I'm going to ask for the prescription and then visit a medical supply store and see how it works.

frasch21 · August 2015

I have Blue Cross as well and called about a month ago and was told I could call back one month before my due date and they would send it out then. They have a company in one of our largest cities in my state that they will send it out from when I call.

Tracyjean22P · August 2015

Just an FYI. I had called my insurance company first too (Blue Cross) and they said the same thing about prescription and having to wait until two months prior to baby. They also gave me numbers to medical suppliers nearby. Then I called the "breast care solutions" service through the babies r us website and they made all of the necessary phone calls. I did need the prescription but they did not make me wait... I got my breast pump delivered the next week. I highly recommend using this service. Sooo much easier.

MargaretC5 · August 2015

Question for 2nd time moms.... did you insurance cover a pump for babies other then your first? I pumped for 12 months with DS and the pump took a beating going to and from work every day. Not sure it will last another year.

Klaundry · August 2015

Anyone can go to Medela.com and search for companies that work with insurance companies to get you a breastpump. You simply choose your insurance provider. I did this and found the company 1 Natural Way, I filled out a "qualification" questionnaire and they took care of the rest for me and I received an email within hours that I could log in and choose my breast pump. I had 3 options, the Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump Starter Set which was free of cost to me, the Pump In Style on-the-go Tote at an incredibly discounted out of pocket price to me - which is ultimately what I went with, or the Freestyle Pump which was the top of the line one that they offered but again it was at a discounted price to me because my insurance covered part of the cost. I had my pump within 3 business days! It was so simple and I got a quality Medela Breast Pump.

Puddlewonderful · August 2015

I'm on BCBS Federal and I just called CVS Caremark and asked for it. They didn't even ask for proof I was pregnant. Federal benefits are the best.

rachswi · August 2015

frasch21 said:
I have Blue Cross as well and called about a month ago and was told I could call back one month before my due date and they would send it out then. They have a company in one of our largest cities in my state that they will send it out from when I call.

Mine did the same thing. I don't see a reason to get it any sooner. Not like I'll be using it lol

georgiarn12 · August 2015

I have Blue Cross and I got my Medela Pump in style through Aeroflow Healthcare. It was very easy and I had my pump exactly one week after receiving the prescription from my MD. I was very proactive though. I scanned my prescription and insurance card and emailed it to them and I paid as soon as they asked for the money for the upgrade.

gvgauthi · August 2015

The hospital I work for gives out the Medela Freestyle pump to everyone! I did have to pay for it upfront ($350) but am getting fully reimbursed from my insurance =D

pink*sheep · August 2015

I just called today (I have a bcbs state specific company) and my medela will ship within 5-7 days. Weird how the different bcbs companies have such different policies.

dogsombrero · August 2015

MargaretC5 said:
Question for 2nd time moms.... did you insurance cover a pump for babies other then your first? I pumped for 12 months with DS and the pump took a beating going to and from work every day. Not sure it will last another year.

I'm a STM and I haven't gotten mine yet but there was no specification in my new insurance company's literature about STM+ not getting one if they've previously gotten one.

MargaretC5 · August 2015

dogsombrero said:

MargaretC5 said:
Question for 2nd time moms.... did you insurance cover a pump for babies other then your first? I pumped for 12 months with DS and the pump took a beating going to and from work every day. Not sure it will last another year.
I'm a STM and I haven't gotten mine yet but there was no specification in my new insurance company's literature about STM+ not getting one if they've previously gotten one.

Thanks. I know my insurance only covers the birthing class for your first, which it what make me question the pump. I will have to call and double check at some point.

Megn43 · August 2015

I ordered mine through mommyxpress.com just today. It was really easy. Just had to fill out a prescription form and have my doc sign it. The office faxed it to mommy xpress and they take care of contacting insurance. I chose the upgrade and paid over the phone and was told it'd ship today. So much easier than having to deal with insurance myself!

greyphoenix · August 2015

I forgot who I called the first time I looked but they contacted my dr to get a script but wanted $150 for the medela double pump with freezer tote. Good deal but I kept searching and I found the yummy mummy store. I got a pump from ameda same features for free. They contacted the dr and promised to send it at least a month before my due date but I got it last week. My insurance is Humana.

Barker2+1 · August 2015

For those who have BCBS I went through babies R Us and was told I only qualify for a manual pump not an electric. Just wondering if you got electric and if maybe I should try contacting the insurance company myself. Cause that seemed sorta silly

rachswi · August 2015

Barker2+1 said:
For those who have BCBS I went through babies R Us and was told I only qualify for a manual pump not an electric. Just wondering if you got electric and if maybe I should try contacting the insurance company myself. Cause that seemed sorta silly

My BCBS didn't want me going through Babies R Us (even though Babies R Us's site said they take my insurance). That may be why. It's really not painful at all to just call your insurance. It only took me a less than 10 minute convo to get things taken care of - they gave me the names of 3 different companies I can call to get my pump (but they want me to wait until a month before my due date)... I know it may seem annoying to have to wait to get the pump, but it's not like you'll be using it yet anyway.

MargaretC5 · August 2015

Barker2+1 said:
For those who have BCBS I went through babies R Us and was told I only qualify for a manual pump not an electric. Just wondering if you got electric and if maybe I should try contacting the insurance company myself. Cause that seemed sorta silly

I have BCBS and got an electric pump when I had DS. I went thru a medical supply company and they took care of everything.

tmandato1234 · August 2015

Any one with Medicaid try the medela website? In the beginning of my pregnancy I asked my insurance ( Humana-Medicaid ) if it was covered they said no. But on the website ( medela ) they had Medicaids under the insurance search but I'm still unsure. I found a double electric pump from babies r us for 109$ but if I can get it covered that saves money

MoRay05 · August 2015

Barker2+1 said:
For those who have BCBS I went through babies R Us and was told I only qualify for a manual pump not an electric. Just wondering if you got electric and if maybe I should try contacting the insurance company myself. Cause that seemed sorta silly

I have bcbs and I had the choose from two different electric pumps. One was medela and I can't remember the other. The basic model is covered under our plan. I was given the option to upgrade which included I think the carrying bag, ice packs, etc for an additional fee.

VexedMommy · August 2015

tmandato1234 said:

Any one with Medicaid try the medela website? In the beginning of my pregnancy I asked my insurance ( Humana-Medicaid ) if it was covered they said no. But on the website ( medela ) they had Medicaids under the insurance search but I'm still unsure. I found a double electric pump from babies r us for 109$ but if I can get it covered that saves money

You will probably need to get with your doctor for a prescription and ask them how to go about it. I believe that Target pharmacy is very very easy to work with.

ashsue89 · August 2015

At first my insurance said I just need a prescription..so I get one from my doc. Once I had it I called back to see what to do next. The first lady said I now needed to give my doc a number so she could pre authorize the pump and then to call a medical supply company and gave me tw I numbers. So I call my doc and tell her to call this number, I wait a week and call my insurance back asking how I'd know if she called, they said she'd receive a fax with an approval number...so I asked was their anything else I needed to get or know,cuz each time I call they add something else. Then just cuz I thought it couldn't hurt I called both medical supply companies to see what they said I'd need only 1 number worked..lol. The lady on the phone was shocked they were having me do all that, she said to come in with the prescription and they'd handle the rest. I go to see them next week,I'm so tired of this run-around how come my insurance has no idea wtf is going on making me worrie when it's the last thing I need. I've got mdwise btw,wish me luck I hope it works out tuesday. And what if I'd waited or had had my son I'd be a mess trying to figure this out with him here.

rmbuchholz · August 2015

I also have bcbs, but their expat plan (geo-blue), and they told me that I can purchase any pump I want and they'll reimburse me. I'm thinking of the Medea freestyle, but if anyone has other suggestions let me know. I was thinking that was best because the rechargeable battery should be able to be used both in the states and overseas.

For those who are asking about insurance covering a pump, because of the affordable care act, insurance companies legally must cover a pump. It may not be a fancy one, but don't let them tell you they won't cover anything, it's not legal.

VexedMommy · August 2015

rmbuchholz said:

I also have bcbs, but their expat plan (geo-blue), and they told me that I can purchase any pump I want and they'll reimburse me. I'm thinking of the Medea freestyle, but if anyone has other suggestions let me know. I was thinking that was best because the rechargeable battery should be able to be used both in the states and overseas. For those who are asking about insurance covering a pump, because of the affordable care act, insurance companies legally must cover a pump. It may not be a fancy one, but don't let them tell you they won't cover anything, it's not legal.

My boss uses a freestyle and loves it.

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

Just ordered my Medela Starter Kit breastpump through Aeroflow (I have Tricare and just had to e-mail a picture of my prescription to my Aeroflow rep) Very easy!

bellie1223 · September 2015

Reviving this thread because I finally got around to calling my insurance company today (Kaiser Permanente) and was informed that they don't supply a breast pump until after the birth, and that once you deliver you can call the hotline and a voucher WILL BE MAILED to you, then once you get that, you can go pick up the pump from their ONE location. I know there's a couple other Colorado moms on here and just wondering if any of you have KP and got the same information. Just seems weird, especially reading everyone else's experience with their insurance company. I mean, KP sucks, but come on!

MercyC1130 · September 2015

@bellie1223 I had so many issues with my insurance I haven't yet looked into my options but I should get on that now. Thanks for reviving this!

Jame414 · September 2015

MargaretC5 said:
Question for 2nd time moms.... did you insurance cover a pump for babies other then your first? I pumped for 12 months with DS and the pump took a beating going to and from work every day. Not sure it will last another year.

Mine will cover new one. It's been 4 years. You'll have to call and see what their coverage is. Chances are it will be.

Jame414 · September 2015

First time I got home from hospital called the insurance company and it was delivered in 24 hrs. No bother at all. I was in the hospital for a week-and used theirs when needed to. It makes sense that they wouldn't cover until late in pregnancy if not after delivery really.

fhopefaithlove1 · September 2015

I went through Breast Pump Solutions ( Babies R Us ). Very easy process. I just called the number they have listed on their site , gave the lady all of my insurance info, they contacted my insurance company and emailed me with the pumps I was covered for. I just had to get a prescription from my dr. which she faxed over to the company, 2 days later I received my pump in the mail!

https://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=22729026&sr=1&origkw=breast pump solutions

urby87 · September 2015

The NP at my last appointment told me that it's easiest to wait and do it at the hospital. They have a store with consultants and a bunch of options, and since they already have your info on file, all of the processing is supposed to be really easy.

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