How to get my free breast pump from insurance

Here are options for finding a breast pump at a low cost.

Looking to get a breast pump? There are a variety of ways to find a pump at low cost, like through your private insurance or Medicaid, your local hospital, and some WIC clinics. Some moms get to keep their pumps forever, and some moms rent their pumps while they are breastfeeding. Talk to your WIC clinic about which option is best for you.

Table of Contents Show

Here are options for finding a breast pump at a low cost.
If You Have Private Health Insurance
If You Have Medicaid
If You Can't Get a Breast Pump Through Medicaid or You Don't Have Insurance
Browse WIC Breastfeeding Topics
How do I get my breast pump reimbursed through insurance?
How can I get a breast pump for free?
When can I order free breast pump through insurance?
How do I get my free electric breast pump through insurance?

If You Have Private Health Insurance

Every plan is different, and every plan has different rules. The best way to find out what's covered for you is to call your insurance provider before you have your baby. You can ask about getting a breast pump and find out if you're eligible for other breastfeeding benefits, like counseling and support.

When you call your insurer, ask for answers to these questions:

Does my plan cover a rental pump or one I can keep?
Does my plan cover a manual pump or electric pump?
If I'm renting, how long do I get to keep it?
When will I get my pump: before or after I have my baby?
Will you send me the pump, or do I need to buy it and get reimbursed?
Do I need a prescription or pre-authorization from my doctor?
Will my plan take into consideration my doctor's recommendation about what type of pump will work best for me?
Does my plan cover any other breastfeeding benefits, such as breast pump supplies or counseling and support?
Can you send me a list of in-network providers who can offer me lactation support?

If You Have Medicaid

You may be able to get or rent a breast pump, but every state's Medicaid program is different. You'll want to check with your Medicaid provider to find out what's covered for you before your baby arrives. When you call, ask the questions listed above.

If You Can't Get a Breast Pump Through Medicaid or You Don't Have Insurance

If you can't get a breast pump through Medicaid or you don't have insurance, you may be able to get or rent a pump through WIC. Reach out to your WIC clinic to find out if you're eligible and what other services may be available to you.

Browse WIC Breastfeeding Topics

Transcript

Hello, my name is Amanda Cole and I am the owner of Yummy Mummy, a company dedicated to All Things Breastfeeding.

At Yummy Mummy, we ship hundreds of breast pumps every day to moms throughout the country who are covered for a breast pump under their insurance plan, usually as part of the Affordable Care Act. Now, there is still a lot of confusion out there about how to obtain a breast pump through insurance, so I wanted to take a moment and help you navigate what can be a very challenging process to some moms.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans are required to cover preventative services for women, including a breast pump, and usually with no cost to the mom. Now coverage varies widely, not only from one insurance carrier to the next, but also from one plan to the next. Some plans will offer a mom a double electric breast pump, while other plans will offer them a manual pump, some moms have a choice between both. Some plans might only offer a hospital-grade pump for rent, and usually they will require you to have a prescription showing some sort of medical necessity. Some plans might require a prescription for any type of pump.

Another difference: when you can get your pump. Some moms can get a pump at any point during their pregnancy, other moms will have to wait until 30 days before their due date, and some moms can’t get a pump until they have actually delivered.

The great news is the breast pumps that you get under your insurance plans are the same exact pumps you would buy in a store. Now, they might not have all the bells and whistles, the freezer bag or the tote as you would buy at the store, but what is important -- the motor, the mechanics, the functionality of the pump -- is 100% identical.

Now one of the major misconceptions out there is that you can purchase your insurance pump or get your insurance pump at any retail store and that simply is not true. Most insurance plans require you to work with an in-network provider, such as Yummy Mummy. We are the largest durable medical equipment provider in the country specializing in breast pumps.

So what are your next steps?

You’re going to call your insurance provider.
Ask them which pumps you might be eligible for and whether you need a prescription and at which point during your pregnancy they can ship you the pump.
You are then going to call an in-network durable medical equipment provider and order your breast pump.

At Yummy Mummy we are in network with over 25 insurance plans so chances are we'll be able to help you get a breast pump you need with as little hassle as possible.

So congratulations to all of you expectant and new moms. This is a really exciting time in your life and we hope we can help you. So give us a call or visit us online at yummymummystore.com. Your home for All Things Breastfeeding.

How do I get my breast pump reimbursed through insurance?

Ask your doctor to write a prescription if your insurance provider needs one. If you need the pump for a medical reason, the diagnosis must be included with the prescription. For example, your baby has trouble breastfeeding because she is a preemie.

How can I get a breast pump for free?

Not only can you get a breast pump through your insurance, but legally, your health insurance plan has to cover it for free, without co-pays. All health insurance plans — including Medicaid — must cover breast pumps by law.

When can I order free breast pump through insurance?

Q: Do I have to wait until the baby arrives to order my breast pump? A: Nope, you can order your pump anytime during your pregnancy (or up to one year after), and Edgepark will hold onto it until the date your insurance plan says you can have it. Once your pump ships, you should get it within 1-2 days.

How do I get my free electric breast pump through insurance?

Ordering your free breast pump is simple, Rosenthal says. You can go directly to a breast pump provider or call the 800-number on the back of your health insurance card, she says. If you go directly to the breast pump provider, you'll be asked what state you live in and what your insurance is.