Did You Know? Breast Pumps Are Now Covered by Health Insurance

Breast 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?