Understanding Your Breast Pump Insurance Coverage
After having a baby, deciding whether or not to breastfeed is just one of the many decisions you will have to make. Breastfeeding is a good option for your baby, but sometimes, it can really tie you down. Having a breast pump allows others to feed your baby breastmilk for you, and you can be more flexible. Getting a breast pump through your insurance is a great option to help free you up physically as well as financially. But it can be hard to know where to start, and the prices of breast pumps can be overwhelming. This article will serve as a guide to help you navigate your insurance provider and understand their breast pump coverage.
Differing Insurance Coverage
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most marketplace insurance plans now cover breast pumps. But even though your insurance will likely cover a breast pump, everyone knows that every insurance plan is different. Some things that may differ from provider to provider are whether or not you get to keep your pump or if you need to rent it, and whether or not you need a prescription from your doctor in order to acquire a breast pump.
Also, occasionally, if you have had an insurance provider since before 2010 when the Affordable Care Act was signed, they may have a grandfathered plan, which allows them to not cover breast pumps. It's important to know what your provider covers and what they don't.
Questions to Ask Your Insurance Provider
To clear up a lot of the confusion, the best thing to do is call your insurance provider and talk with them. Here are some questions that you can ask them to help you understand your coverage.
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What types of pumps do you cover, such as manual or electric?
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What brands/models of pumps do you cover?
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Do you cover all the costs?
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Do you cover rented pumps?
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Do you cover replacement parts if something comes damaged or gets damaged?
Insurance is always a bit of a hassle to deal with, but getting a breast pump will be worth it for you and your baby. Work with your OBGYN to determine what type of pump is right for your needs, and use these questions to help you get a breast pump covered by insurance.
Reach out to your health insurance agent to find out if you can get a breast pump covered by insurance.
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