With the new Affordable Health Care Act (ACA), insurance companies are finally beginning to cover lactation services and necessary aids and equipment; like breastpumps. After I have attended several seminars on insurance reimbursement, the consenses is that the US insurance industry is in turmoil and confusion about adding lactation services and equipment to their reimbursement menu. Each company is intrepreting the ACA in it’s own way.
You are not alone if you are confused!
We are all trying to figure it out, but it is worth it for you to pursue reimbursement for the services and products you need, with your insurance company, to be able to breastfeed and provide breastmilk for your baby. More and more companies ARE paying, and the more consumer demand, the more the lawyers and businessmen that run our health care industry will realize how important these services and products are.
It would be smart for every insurance company to provide “well” breastfeeding services for ALL mothers and babies just like they pay for “well” pediatric visits as babies that are breastfed are so much healthier and have, on average, 1/2 the health care costs compared to babies that are formula fed.
These links will provide you with more information. Please ask your insurance company to pay for the services and products you need. Best Start Parenting Center is here to help in any way we can. (434) 384-MAMA (6262)
Jane Bradshaw RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC
The Affordable Care Act puts consumers back in charge of their health care. Under the law, a new “Patient’s Bill of Rights” gives the American people the stability and flexibility they need to make informed choices about their health.
http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/index.html
Get your questions about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and insurance-covered breastpumps answered!
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/breastfeeding-insurance
http://www.ameda.com/products/breast-pump-coverage/affordable-care-act
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Breastfeeding/mainpage.HTM
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