Breast Pump from Insurance

MamaSquishyB · July 2016

Have any of you ordered a breast pump from your insurance company? I requested mine several weeks ago (from BCBS), but it hasn't come yet. I just wondered how long it takes for it to arrive. Maybe I should call insurance again?

itiswellwithmysoul · July 2016

I have anthem bcbs, and they told me I had to call one of the two medical supply companies they use. I can't remember the name of the company I used, but I filled out their paperwork online, and got my pump in a few weeks.....and they didn't need confirmation from my dr. I have had my pump since the beginning of my pregnancy.

MamaSquishyB · July 2016

When I initially ordered it, my doc gave me a number to call to request it. They took all my info over the phone, but I still haven't seen the pump!! :-\

BabyBoyH92016 · July 2016

Blue Cross Blue Shield gave me a list of medical equipment providers which I then had to contact to order my breast pump. The provider then called my doctors office to get the prescription. Once all of that happened, I received my breast pump within a week. I would follow up with your insurance to make sure that you weren't supposed to contact a medical equipment supplier on your own.

rock1cherry · July 2016

I filled out an online form and got a confirmation email, yet no one called me and no pump showed up. Guess I will need to follow up since my due date is coming...

pilotswifey · July 2016

They usually send the pump about four weeks before your due date. I wouldn't sweat it yet. It's just one more way they're trying to save a buck.

Bibliobebe · July 2016

@BabyBoyH92016 Aha! So that's how the prescription thing works. My clinic gave me a prescription for a BP but I had no idea what to do with it and haven't gotten around to calling my insurance company to ask yet. I'm really happy that insurance covers BPs because it's one of the most expensive things on our baby needs list.

618mom22boys · July 2016

I'm going to be renting a medical grade breast pump, medela symphony, that is covered by insurance. Since it's a rental I won't get it until a few days before my c/s. (I also have bcbs but of illinois)

Shiva14 · July 2016

@Bibliobebe I believe they have to cover it now due to the affordable care act

I have also yet to receive even an order confirmation for mine. I emailed the company to follow up over the weekend, so here's to hoping they'll get back to me soon. I know I don't need it just yet, but it gives me peace of mind to have it at the house.

rn1stbae · July 2016

Here in town the local medical supply store keeps them stocked, you show up and leave with your pump and supplies the same day. With my insurance you can go to any pharmacy that is covered, different stores stock different pumps so if you're looking for a particular one keep that in mind.

TheTamedShrew · July 2016

My insurance gave me a list of sites to choose from. I can't order mine until 4 weeks before my due date though.

jas1982 · July 2016

Apparently, my husband's work is somehow grandfathered out of compliance with the ACA on this front, because they are self-insured (even though they are a huge company). However, the medical supply company sent me the pump anyway and now is charging me $300 for the pump, even though I could buy it retail for $125ish. No returns, of course. This led to an hour and a half on the phone with insurance companies and at least one screaming meltdown yesterday. Cool.

ETA: For what it's worth, I ordered the Spectra S2 from Byram Healthcare, which would have been fine if my insurance company (Aetna) wasn't shit. A lot of my friends love it.

camichael84 · July 2016

My insurance has you go through a medical supplier. When I ordered it for my first, they didn't process the order the first time I sent it in because there was something wrong with the paperwork. I had to call the supplier to get it sorted out. I plan to go through the same supplier again this time, and should probably be looking into this. Time is seriously getting away from me.

CoffeeBeanFiend91 · July 2016

We don't get the pump until within 10 days of the due date. I would check with the supplier.

jhems776 · July 2016

I don't get mine till after delivery and I have only a few places I can go through. I hope I don't need it the first week....

abberson · July 2016

@jhems776 You'll likely know by the time you leave the hospital if you'll need one, and can always rent one from them. Plus an LC can walk you through using it before you leave. I had a hospital rental for the first two weeks while I waited for my pump to come in through insurance.

AmMcc12 · July 2016

I was told to wait 60 prior to due date to order mine.

PSUBecky23 · July 2016

FWIW for those concerned that you're running out of time to get your pump - I didn't get mine until after I delivered. The LC in the hospital faxed a RX to a medical supply company that she knew worked with my insurance. It was delivered the day we got home from the hospital.

rock1cherry · July 2016

When I applied they said they would call me within 5 business days. It's been 5 weeks at least. So I don't know if it is going through or not. Or if I should try again or just wait. Had they have called and said we got your request and won't ship until closer to or after then I wouldn't mind. I just have no idea if it's in process or not. I did get a confirmation email but I was supposed to get that call following up but I didn't.

mrsl0429 · July 2016

I have Cigna, but had to order my Medela pump (only brand they would cover) online through the Medela website with a prescription. Couldn't do it until 28 weeks, but I did everything online, and it showed up in about a week.

Ssoccerball · July 2016

jas1982 said:

Apparently, my husband's work is somehow grandfathered out of compliance with the ACA on this front, because they are self-insured (even though they are a huge company). However, the medical supply company sent me the pump anyway and now is charging me $300 for the pump, even though I could buy it retail for $125ish. No returns, of course. This led to an hour and a half on the phone with insurance companies and at least one screaming meltdown yesterday. Cool.

ETA: For what it's worth, I ordered the Spectra S2 from Byram Healthcare, which would have been fine if my insurance company (Aetna) wasn't shit. A lot of my friends love it.

I'm sorry to hear about your issue with insurance, but happy that you shared about the Spectra S2. I've always been a Medela user, but my insurance will only cover the Medela starter kit, so I'm thinking of ordering the Spectra S2 (also covered) since neither comes with a bag or accessories and the S2 is hospital grade.

*Also, in response to the original post, my insurance requires you to wait 30 days before your due date to order.

laeced · July 2016

I went through the Target Breast Pump program and it was super fast and easy. I requested a prescription from my doc, called the pump program number, e-mailed them a picture of my prescription, received email confirmation that they had verified everything with my insurance (Tricare Standard) and then a day later I received notification that my pump I chose was ready for pickup at Target. Everything took less than 48 hours.

MamaSquishyB · July 2016

Thanks. I'll call them tomorrow to follow up.

frogdog06 · July 2016

I have to wait until the baby arrives to call the 1(800) number. :[
It'll be free with my insurance, but they only provide the Ameda brand not the Medela.

mjpatzwa · July 2016

I did a lot of research and am going to get the Spectra S2 through my insurance due to great reviews and recommendations from other mamas. BUT, they all said to wait until about 4 week before your due date to order because the warranty goes by the date you received it-- not when baby is born and you actually use it. If you are ordering from Edgepark-- they say it takes 1-2 days to process and 7-10 business days for delivery.

PugMama11 · July 2016

@jas1982 I was about to order the Spectra 2 from Byram too! Why is Aetna denying the claim? It looks like they are approving it for me, but now I'm afraid to order it. Could it be b/c its "hospital strength"?

-edited for wording

KimmySchmidt · July 2016

Anyone else's insurance making them wait until 30 days before their due date to place the order? Then the order shows up up to 10 days after you place it?

Does that seem like it's cutting it close to anyone else? A baby is not an Amazon package, the date it arrives isn't super firm.

PSUBecky23 · July 2016

KimmySchmidt said:

Anyone else's insurance making them wait until 30 days before their due date to place the order? Then the order shows up up to 10 days after you place it?

Does that seem like it's cutting it close to anyone else? A baby is not an Amazon package, the date it arrives isn't super firm.

Yes. I'm not concerned, considering I didn't order my last one until the day after my daughter was born. I didn't need my breast pump for several weeks anyway. I know that's not always the case but I'll cross that bridge if necessary.

mjpatzwa · July 2016

@KimmySchmidt mine isn't that i know of BUT i have been told that it's not a bad thing because you want the warranty to be fresh--- you can always get a manual one for like $25 if you need it

sarahg8r · July 2016

My insurance makes me wait until 30 days before EDD as well.

I got the Medela PISA last time, but I'm going with the Spectra this time...hope it lives up to the hype!

jas1982 · July 2016

@PugMama11 Aetna is not the real culprit in my case, I guess my spouse's company (who has better insurance than mine) is self-insured even though they go through Aetna, and so they are not required to comply with the part of the ACA that makes breast pumps usually be covered. However, I think I am not going to end up paying for it, because either the insurance company or the medical provider said it would be 100% covered. Soooo they're pulling the phone call between them to see which of them messed up. Fingers crossed one of them covers it!

PugMama11 · July 2016

@jas1982 ah so frustrating!! Good luck I hope they can work it and you don't have to pay! I'm going to order mine from Byram via Aetna tonight. I'll report back if I have any issues

KimmySchmidt · July 2016

PSUBecky23 said:

KimmySchmidt said:

Anyone else's insurance making them wait until 30 days before their due date to place the order? Then the order shows up up to 10 days after you place it?

Does that seem like it's cutting it close to anyone else? A baby is not an Amazon package, the date it arrives isn't super firm.

Yes. I'm not concerned, considering I didn't order my last one until the day after my daughter was born. I didn't need my breast pump for several weeks anyway. I know that's not always the case but I'll cross that bridge if necessary.

I experienced breastfeeding problems last time and started pumping in the hospital. I don't think it's that uncommon.

PSUBecky23 · July 2016

KimmySchmidt said:

PSUBecky23 said:

KimmySchmidt said:

Anyone else's insurance making them wait until 30 days before their due date to place the order? Then the order shows up up to 10 days after you place it?

Does that seem like it's cutting it close to anyone else? A baby is not an Amazon package, the date it arrives isn't super firm.

Yes. I'm not concerned, considering I didn't order my last one until the day after my daughter was born. I didn't need my breast pump for several weeks anyway. I know that's not always the case but I'll cross that bridge if necessary.

I experienced breastfeeding problems last time and started pumping in the hospital. I don't think it's that uncommon.

I hope you get it in time then. Can you rent one from the hospital if you don't?

also, are you required to order from a certain company? I got mine in two days last time, ordering from Baird.

KimmySchmidt · July 2016

PSUBecky23 said:

KimmySchmidt said:

PSUBecky23 said:

KimmySchmidt said:

Anyone else's insurance making them wait until 30 days before their due date to place the order? Then the order shows up up to 10 days after you place it?

Does that seem like it's cutting it close to anyone else? A baby is not an Amazon package, the date it arrives isn't super firm.

Yes. I'm not concerned, considering I didn't order my last one until the day after my daughter was born. I didn't need my breast pump for several weeks anyway. I know that's not always the case but I'll cross that bridge if necessary.

I experienced breastfeeding problems last time and started pumping in the hospital. I don't think it's that uncommon.

I hope you get it in time then. Can you rent one from the hospital if you don't?

also, are you required to order from a certain company? I got mine in two days last time, ordering from Baird.

I have a list to choose from. Baird isn't on the list, but there are 4 or 5 choices. I forget which ones.

crispy11 · July 2016

Ah, I keep meaning to do this! I'm torn because while I'm excited to get one of the new pumps (though my 2011 medela PISA did the trick), I also don't have fond memories of pumping at work for 10+months last time.

ruemcclanahan · July 2016

Ugh I have no idea how this works lol I really need to find out....

geminigirl16 · July 2016

Feeling super disappointed. Just got off phone with insurance company and they don't cover a breast pump at all. Nada. Not even a small percentage.

I wanted either the Medela Pump in Stylr or Freestyle but they are both pretty pricey.

*sigh*

mjpatzwa · July 2016

Hi Ladies-- I contacted Spectra to get the details on the S2 warranty...in case it affects when you decide to order:

You receive 2 year warranty on the pump motor from order date and 90 days on the parts/accessories from order date.

jas1982 · July 2016

@geminigirl16 how is your company getting out of it? It blows my mind that insurance companies are able to get out of federal requirements.

UnwritteN12 · July 2016

Since I'm within a month of having these two, I need to decide on a pump and call to order it. I was just reading some reviews that @kosmo86 provided. This one (https://bestclothdiapers.net/breastfeeding/the-top-rated-breast-pumps) specifically mentioned cup size in the reviews. I was all set to order the Spectra S2 over the Medela PISA but the Spectra review mentions that if you have larger than D cups, it may not empty all of your ducts due to the size of the breast shields. Whereas the Medela says that it works well for the more endowed woman.

Anyone have any experience with this? Thoughts, opinions?? I used a Medela in the hospital with the kiddos and loved it but had a different pump at home that I'd rather not use this time. I love that the Spectra is supposed to be quiet and lighter weight but I do worry about the size of the breast shields.

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