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11-29-2012 at 9:46 PM
Kingston54
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Does your insurance cover a breast pump?

If yes, what kind of insurance is it?

How did you find out it was/wasn't covered?

I have one but it's not fantastic so if I can get a brand new one covered, I'd like to do that.


Thanks in advance!
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11-29-2012 at 9:56 PM
IsaiahGirl
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Mine will in January - United Healthcare.

 I just called and asked, but I knew the policy was changing, so I made sure to ask about the new policy and how to get one.  The rep told me to try and go through my hospital, which I plan to do over Christmas break.  If they can't order one for me, the rep gave me a medical supply company that UHC uses.
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11-29-2012 at 10:01 PM
lanie22
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It depends on who I talk to and what day it is when I call my insurance. Very inconsistent answers. I have Aetna and was told once that an electric pump (not hospital grade) would be covered after Jan 1 because of the new Affordable Care Act. As of today, for my plan they are only covered for certain medical conditions as I was told the next time I called.  

It's going to vary by insurance and even plan though so definitely call your insurance. The last time I called my insurance they told me it would also depend on whether my company decided to be in compliance with the Act. 

My plan is to call Aetna again early Jan to see what answer I get then.  It should be more accurate & reliable. 
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11-29-2012 at 10:32 PM
kellimare
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I have BCBS, and when I called a few weeks ago I was transferred about 4 times and no one seemed to know. Planning on calling again in January, hopefully someone will know what the crap is going on then. 
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11-29-2012 at 10:48 PM
bearkatjen
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Yes. My insurance policy with United Healthcare renewed Sept. 1st, so I have had breastpump coverage since then. I called and called and called and called some more. I called my benefit people at work a lot too.

United Healthcare will cover up to $200 of the contracted price. It varies from DME to DME what pump is covered by United Healthcare, but at least one DME is contracted to sale the Medela PISA. I have that info written down at work.

I'll be renting a hospital grade pump for a year due to past supply issues, so I still be paying a lot of money out of pocket. About $400, but I can use my Medical Savings Account towards that, so that's at least something. 
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11-29-2012 at 11:17 PM
MrsBigTime
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Mine does. I know because coworkers told me and I looked at my schedule of benefits. 

Up until last year pumps were covered 100% with no cap, but this year they changed their policy to $300 only. I know $300 is still good coverage, but it's a bit annoying that my two best girlfriends had their pumps covered 100% and I did not (we all got the Freestyle).
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11-29-2012 at 11:25 PM
velazquezk...
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kellimare:
I have BCBS, and when I called a few weeks ago I was transferred about 4 times and no one seemed to know. Planning on calling again in January, hopefully someone will know what the crap is going on then.nbsp;


I have BCBS and I was told no. So I decided to look it up and its no. At least for NC, not sure where you're located. I plan on calling in January, too. Our fiscal year for my job is July so that's when our policies renew and I get my new card. I hope I don't have to wait until then to get a definite answer.
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11-29-2012 at 11:25 PM
ta78
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I have Regence. They will start on Jan 1st, but will only cover the Ameda double electric or manual. I just called and asked about it and she was very helpful, but did look it up to make sure of the details since it is a new policy. Definitely worth calling your insurance company and asking.
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11-29-2012 at 11:34 PM
Shayliz
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All non-grandfathered plans should cover it after your plan renewal occurs after August 1, 2012 if they don't currently. So - if your plan renews in January, you should have coverage after that. If it's like mine and renews in April and has no coverage currently, then you wouldn't have coverage for it until April.
 
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11-30-2012 at 1:19 AM
SecretAgen...
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We have BCBS and it is covered. We have to get it through a durable medical supplier with a prescription from my OB but that's nbd. I called/emailed my husbands HR rep and she contacted BCBS to get a straight answer in writing from them. I don't think it's the carrier you need to worry about as much as your specific insurance plan's allowances
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11-30-2012 at 5:08 AM
krissywave
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Cigna - Yes

It is only covered if there is a medical need for it.  Like if I have a baby that ends up in the NICU and I can't brestfeed due to baby still in the hospital and me at home (once discharged). 

Every policy is going to be different.  I would suggest you calling yours to find out what is covered and what is not covered.  Just because 2 people have the same carrier does not mean that our policy is going to be the same.
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11-30-2012 at 5:11 AM
EyeStoneFl...
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I have BCBS (Federal Employees Program) and they will cover it starting January 1st. I have to get it specifically through Caremark and I have a choice between the Ameda manual or electric breast pump.
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11-30-2012 at 6:14 AM
6fsn
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We have a state university insurance.  If I deliver at university I walk out with one.  If I deliver elsewhere I get reimbursed.
 
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11-30-2012 at 7:46 AM
EJGilmore
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I teach, our school district has a self funded insurance program, run by United MEdical Alliance.  Apparently being self funded you can opt out of certain things.  They of course are opting out of covering pumps.  They cover nothing! 
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11-30-2012 at 8:03 AM
this decaf...
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BCBS

I called & looked online at the 2013 benefit plan. It's stated very clearly in the plan what's covered 

I'll be getting an Ameda double electric as soon as possible in January. 

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11-30-2012 at 8:26 AM
AmyRI
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I have BCBS.

Beginning in January, they will cover either an Ameda manual pump kit or an Ameda double electric pump kit. I have to order through CVS caremark to get it for free. I found the information online in the Service Benefit Plan Brochure, which they should be willing to mail you for free. It details all of your benefits. Be sure to check for 2013, as many plans won't cover them until it resets in January.

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11-30-2012 at 8:36 AM
BLPL101
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Yes, I have United Healthcare. The woman told me it renews Jan 1 and to call back after the New Year. I'm due mid January so I hope I get it in time.
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11-30-2012 at 8:45 AM
bearkatjen
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EJGilmore:
I teach, our school district has a self funded insurance program, run by United MEdical Alliance.  Apparently being self funded you can opt out of certain things.  They of course are opting out of covering pumps.  They cover nothing! 

DH works for our county, which is self-insured, and they are grandfathered as well, and will not be covering zipp when the policy renews in Jan. they went the self insured route to save money, mostly by getting around certain laws, but it's not saving them money in the long run, and it really screws the employees.
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11-30-2012 at 8:53 AM
MollusksWr...
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Anthem BCBS
I called and asked.

It's covered 100 percent from a approved supply company in January.
 
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11-30-2012 at 10:34 AM
Chappy_jr
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I have BCBS Tennessee.  They will cover a breast pump - starting in April.  I didn't get all of the details because by that point I was just laughing at the fact that this new coverage does not begin until April while my deductible starts over in January.  How convenient for them...
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11-30-2012 at 11:26 AM
beckajw
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Mine will in January.  I called to ask, but it is also in the paper work I received, I just had to search for it.
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11-30-2012 at 11:33 AM
LollyDoll4...
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We have Medica and they cover a pump only in certain situations.  Mine was covered due to being separated from the baby (NICU).  All but $85 was covered.  I don't mind paying that amount. :)

Oh and we had to call to find out.
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11-30-2012 at 12:57 PM
ajckie
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I just spoke to my insurance company yesterday. It's the Empire Plan (a mix of UHC and Blue Cross Blue Shield for NY state employees). They told me that all they can tell me is that it will be covered starting Jan 2013, but not under what benefit, how much, what kind, where I'll have to get it, or any other info. They said to call back later in the month because they're waiting on the state to give them more info. It's lame.
 
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11-30-2012 at 3:58 PM
rylen1kobe
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Mine will in January.  Federal Blue Cross/Shield

 I have to have Dr. write a script and go through a certain pharmacy, but completely do-able for a double electric pump.  

 
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12-01-2012 at 1:09 PM
mom2b22013
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In 2010 we got one covered from BCBS of MI. The nice Medela double one (can't remember for the life of my whats its called now :) )

This time different state and insurance we only get a Medela manual pump covered. I actually also bought this one with DS and thought it was horrible....  
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