Breast Pumps -- insurance provides FREE pump

Whitewatermomma · May 2016

Because of Obamacare (through your insurance), you can get a FREE breast pump. I called my insurance company and they provided me with some numbers of medical supply companies around me. I believe they will provide a 'standard' pump, but if you ask they may pay the difference if you are looking for a different brand. I am going to be calling and asking this question with the supply company.
Hope this is helpful!

searchingforameaning · May 2016

Already got mine!

Whitewatermomma · May 2016

Do you know if the "Pump in Style by Medela" the same pump as "Pump in Style Advanced by Medela"?

lalalorelai · May 2016

@Whitewatermomma I don't know specifically, but I do know that usually the free one from insurance will not include the fancy carrying case the pumps usually come with. You'd have to pay extra for that.

Not all health insurances completely cover a pump. Mine just covers a certain amount ($250 for an electric or a certain amount for renting a hospital grade) so make sure to call your insurance company to get all the info. They may also limit the brands they cover. Some won't send it out until you're so far along or have already given birth. I need a prescription for mine but can order at any time -- my doctor advised me to order so it'll arrive a few weeks ahead of my due date. You don't want to order too early or you waste some of the warranty.

charmedlifex3 · May 2016

Also - Free is a bit misleading. "Covered by my recently inflated premiums" would likely be more accurate. I'm paying three times what I was four years ago, and my coverage level has declined. But sure... "free" breast pump. Yay.
I will of course be getting mine, but my plan also required a script from my doctor.

bearsandbeets7 · May 2016

Allisun85 said:

Also - Free is a bit misleading. "Covered by my recently inflated premiums" would likely be more accurate. I'm paying three times what I was four years ago, and my coverage level has declined. But sure... "free" breast pump. Yay.
I will of course be getting mine, but my plan also required a script from my doctor.

YES! This is extremely accurate. We had Bluecross Blueshield North Carolina and then DHs company switched to Bluecross Blueshield Alabama and the coverage is terrible! We are paying more money for less coverage and if I knew I wouldn't be fined by the government I would probably drop it all together. But by all means please send me a "free" breast pump.

telicious2 · May 2016

I will be going through yummymummystore.com again and for my Aetna insurance a Medela and Ameda both come with carrying bag.

nanner26 · May 2016

@telicious2 That's the website I used to with our Aetna insurance too. I ordered it about a month ago and it still says "pending".
Do you know about how long it takes before they confirm and ship the pump?

jamiesc58 · May 2016

I got my pump last year through my insurance. I upgraded so I had to pay $130 and they paid the rest. I just got a bill in the mail from the place that sent my pump and they want $200!!! Um...no! I will be contacting them and my insurance today.

mcarone35 · May 2016

I ordered my breast pump today, I have UnitedHealthCare Michigan so I called them and they gave me three companies they work through and each of them had different pumps to choose from. They won't send the pump until 30 days before my due date but I'm so happy about this! I chose the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump

Whitewatermomma · May 2016

@lalalorelai - Thank you this is all very helpful!! I will definitely be calling my insurance company back!

ThisisNumber3 · May 2016

Whitewatermomma said:

Do you know if the "Pump in Style by Medela" the same pump as "Pump in Style Advanced by Medela"?

I believe the actual pump mechanism is the same but the bag and accessories that come with it are not.

SkiChic626 · May 2016

This isn't always the case. I do get a free pump, but my options are limited. Everyone is likely entitled to something, but it might not necessarily be free or the best quality. And, yes, totally agree with @Allisun85 , my insurance premiums used to be FREE, now I pay close to $300/paycheck, which is biweekly, just to cover myself and my daughter, and our DEDs, copays and OOPs are higher than they used to be. So....yeah...."free."

telicious2 · May 2016

@Hannah0726 3 years ago I ordered it after I had DS and I think I got it within a month (maybe more like 2-3 weeks). This time my insurance told me to order it a month from due date. And I think ordering it a month out would get it to me around baby's arrival. I would call Aetna just to double check or Yummy to check on your order.

Jenniferk08 · May 2016

I have Aetna and they cover the "starter medela Kit". The bag is an extra $120upgrade. I have the bag from ds1 from 5 years ago so I will use that.

Curls919 · May 2016

I had Aetna when I had DS. I ordered my pump about 2 months before he was due which was good since I had him a month early! I got the Madela pump in style advanced. It was in a tan bag w/the cooler compartment (I think the ones you buy in store are a black bag but otherwise the same). This was in 2013 so I assume it hasn't changed much.

Now im with Cigna so I have the number to call for their supplier but haven't found out my options yet. Even if it's the same one, I won't be using it as often (hopefully) since I'm home now, but I'll get it new because it's free and I'd rather donate my old one and have a newer one for myself.

SkiChic626 · May 2016

Curls919 I have Cigna, and my options are the Medela PISA or an Ameda (not sure which one). I had the Medela PISA from Cigna last time and it was fine until it crapped out at 7 months, but I used it a TON, so that could be why. I'm getting another one this time, but I also have a Freestyle that I just bought because I had a kick-butt coupon. I'm going to keep one at home and one at work so I don't have to schlep every day!

bananers · May 2016

Cigna gals - was the PISA offered through your insurance the one in the black tote, or the tan cooler-type bag? Last time (via Blue Shield) I got the one in the brown bag. Still a quality pump, but the one in the black bag is nicer since it looks more inconspicuous and you can also take out the small motor and just use that.

I can't browse online with the vendor I was told to call (Care Centrix), and was told to call at 28 weeks because their inventory varies, and the model I get would depend on what they have in stock. Just curious...

charmedlifex3 · May 2016

For ladies who have the PISA as a free pump, with the option to upgrade for the bag -

https://www.amazon.com/Medela-57085-Breastpump-Shoulder-Bag/dp/B00H5OJN4S?ie=UTF8&colid=AT9AMNMAFG89&coliid=I3VY2O3NTX2NVP&redirect=true&ref_=br_it_dp_o_nS_ttl

Half as much. Sure the pump isn't built into the bag, but it comes with all the same extras, and is designed to fit it. BRU said they would honor the Amazon price too, just print it out and buy it in store if you don't have Prime. (It was 69.99 at BRU)

mooncusp22 · May 2016

Our insurance will cover 100% with no price limit. I can purchase one within 30 days of baby's due date and submit receipt for reimbursement. They did the same for DD's birth (I get one with each child) but I couldn't purchase it until after she was born (my mom ran out and got it while I was still in the hospital). Just had to buy from a major retailer.

Cshau · May 2016

I used yummymummy. Super easy and it shipped within a few days.

shen222 · May 2016

I have Cigna... my doctor told me to use acelleron.com it looks like I can choose from the Spectra 2 or Medela PISA. I might try the Spectra this time... I just can't decide.

egreen486 · May 2016

I have Kaiser in Colorado and I can only order my pump once I deliver and it should arrive a few days later. Wish I could get it before!

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Breast Pumps -- insurance provides FREE pump

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