Did You Know? Breast Pumps Are Now Covered By Health Insurance
Photo: Yummy Mummy / The BumpBreast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies can get pricey, but (sigh of relief, nursing mama) know that now health insurance plans will cover the cost, due to The Affordable Care Act, the health insurance reform legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in 2010. It went into effect August 1, 2012.
The Act includes new rules that expand access to preventative care, and that includes helping pregnant women and new moms pay for lactation support and counseling and breastfeeding equipment. The key to getting your breastfeeding supplies covered will be finding out which companies your insurance carrier consider an “in-network provider” and buying insurance-eligible products only through them.
For example, our friends at Yummy Mummy, a store in New York City and website, recently announced they’re now an Aetna breast pump provider, meaning the large majority of moms with Aetna can get a breast pump or supplies from Yummy Mummy at no out-of-pocket cost, with no co-pay, coinsurance or deductible — and they offer free shipping! (See their list of eligible products here. Don’t you love all those zeros?) If you want to know what providers your insurance carrier works with and which supplies it covers, look on your carrier’s website or give them a call!
How much money would you say you’ve spent on breastfeeding supplies? Will you go through insurance to buy them?
Plus, more from The Bump:
Best Buys for Breastfeeding Moms
The Knot Blog
The Nest Blog
This isn’t always true. You have to ask your insurance provider if they cover pumps. Mine as of last year (April), still did not.
Mine as of September did not yet, either. I already purchased the pump before my son was born mid Sept. I wonder what happens if you’ve already purchased the pump and supplies. Do you get shafted?
one thing obamacare might help me benefit from…
Its free if you have Aetna insurance as of now. It worked great for me. I just entered my insurance information and it rang up perfectly!
GHI only covers it if you have a medical necessity – meaning the baby was born premature, has a congenital defect, etc. A “normal” mom wanting to nurse her “normal” baby has no benefit with them unfortunately. I was disappointed to hear this.
The rules changed for most people as of January 1 since that is the usual insurance renewal period. You should check with your insurers again.
Tricare doesn’t cover
Got my hopes up! They only cover for premature infants, only hospital-grade, and only if doctor provides paperwork that it is medically necessary and then they most likely will not cover after the infant goes home 
Blue Cross has a tie up with CVS to provide breastpumps – I called their 1 800 number over the weekend to over mine. It was so easy and I’ll get it in 2 weeks
Thank you for sharing this. I read this and called my Insurance provider immediatley and they cover it 100% which is so helpful. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama PPO. But its true I would call bc this may not apply to everyone. But thanks again BUMP!
This is greast news for new and expecting mothers needing a breast pump! Finally they will be able to get one without the burden of the cost! Thanks for the great information.
The effective date was August 1, 2012. Whenever your insurance resets after that date it should be effective. Mine resets July 1st. So I’m not eligible until July 1, 2013.