Im a Medela fan so my vote for you is the Medela PISA. I dont own that specific model, but if you go to Medela.com you can see some of the compatible accessories they sell. I have sterization bags and sterization wipes to clean parts (but you can refrigerate parts between use or use soap and water, etc to clean instead), i have storage bags for freezing milk and extra bottles for refrigerating milk, and extra parts like flanges (you may not fit the sizes they send you). Oh and a pumping bra is a must. How much of this kind of stuff you need depends on personal preferences and usage. I have a lot more stuff than most people need but i was a heavy pumper with DD.
@demanda88, do you know when your insurance will let you order? I was under the impression we had to wait until around 30 days out. I am also thinking the PISA is the best option of the covered models, and then just get the bag and accessories.
turtletyme I received my Medela PISA in the mail yesterday (UPS) and I had ordered it Monday. I ordered it through insurance (3rd party company) and they didn't say anything about having to wait. I am sure all insurance companies are different. I have BCBS FL fwiw. I appreciate this thread and everyone's suggestions.
WHY can't my insurance be cooperative in giving me details!? All I got out of them was "We cover most pumps. You need a prescription from your doctor and it cannot be filled until after delivery. Here is the nearest supplier to you that will be able to fill it for you." Thaaaaaanks. I'm almost certain they cover the Medela PISA though.
I got nothing from my ins. company either. I only dealt with that 3rd party company and they did everything and gave me all the details I needed. Very helpful.
WHY can't my insurance be cooperative in giving me details!? All I got out of them was "We cover most pumps. You need a prescription from your doctor and it cannot be filled until after delivery. Here is the nearest supplier to you that will be able to fill it for you." Thaaaaaanks. I'm almost certain they cover the Medela PISA though.
I would call the DME supplier that your insurance gave you and see what they say. They are the ones that are going to have the best information for you. My insurance told me last week that they "cover single electric pump, you cannot drop off the prescription until after the baby is born and then they will process". They also told me the DME suppliers will not let you pay the difference to get the double pump. I had a super sad face on during that call obviously. So my thinking was "great, I'll have to wait a couple weeks to get it, it's only a single, yada yada".
Fast forward to this morning when I actually called the DME company -- I can give drop off or fax them the prescription at any time, I can have anyone (DH, family, friend, etc) pick it up the day the baby is born or any time after, and because of the way they code it, they cover the Medela PISA and it will be paid in full by my insurance. BOOM!!!!!
I work in medical billing for a company and deal with insurance companies everyday. I should've known they didn't give me all the correct information! So yeah, call the supplier, they will be way more helpful I'm sure!
Post by mrskblack11 on Feb 26, 2015 10:28:07 GMT -5
I emailed my insurance company and got a great response (which was kind of surprising).
For anyone that has Humana:
You do not need a prescription for a breast pump Humana will cover electric or hospital grade pumps if the purchase is under $200 Humana will cover the rental on the pump if the purchase price is over $200 Replacement pumps is allowed for each birth event or every 5 years You should be able to order the pump prior to birth because they should have maternity claims on file.
They also gave me their list of in-network providers to call.
I would call the DME supplier that your insurance gave you and see what they say. They are the ones that are going to have the best information for you. My insurance told me last week that they "cover single electric pump, you cannot drop off the prescription until after the baby is born and then they will process". They also told me the DME suppliers will not let you pay the difference to get the double pump. I had a super sad face on during that call obviously. So my thinking was "great, I'll have to wait a couple weeks to get it, it's only a single, yada yada".
Fast forward to this morning when I actually called the DME company -- I can give drop off or fax them the prescription at any time, I can have anyone (DH, family, friend, etc) pick it up the day the baby is born or any time after, and because of the way they code it, they cover the Medela PISA and it will be paid in full by my insurance. BOOM!!!!!
I work in medical billing for a company and deal with insurance companies everyday. I should've known they didn't give me all the correct information! So yeah, call the supplier, they will be way more helpful I'm sure!
Ahhhh I know you've been stressing over this. BEST DAY EVER!
RIGHT?! Who knew I'd ever get so excited about a breast pump?!
I have Aetna. Go to yummymummystore.com that's our supplier. We have 6 choices, don't need a perscription, and can order any time.
Edit: I initially called about a billing issue, then asked about pumps while I still had her on the line. She was very friendly and super helpful. We don't seem to have to jump through any hoops.
As for what I ordered (which was Feb. 2nd and still says "pending") I went off the beaten path and ordered the spectra s2 though Medela PISA was an option. I was more swayed by reviews about how comfortable and efficient the s2 is. Won't know until I try it but hoping that was a good choice! My sister has a PISA and was like meh, it's fine when I asked about it. Not a killer sales pitch.
sgarmand, I have Aetna and they have a website where they link directly to their 3rd party suppliers. Aetna said any breast pump from an approved vendor will be 100% covered (seems like double electric pumps) and you don't need a prescription as far as I can tell. I didn't do too much digging, but they really weren't helpful on the phone other than saying it's all online.
Post by hearthands on Feb 26, 2015 12:11:44 GMT -5
I have not ordered my pump yet- but after reviewing some of the ACA (Obamacare ) legislation it looks like it may be possible order accessories for pumps through the DME company associated with your insurance to get partial or complete coverage. Will update once I am able to attempt such an order...
Anyone with Aetna have any information? I'm gonna call today, but if anyone had any prior experience with them, that would be great!
I have AETNA! I just ordered the Madela PISA through Sunmed. They lady was very nice there. They just took my insurance info to be sure what was covered and how much. I was covered 100% and no prescription necessary. You are able to upgrade but I don't think it's for the difference of what is covered. I wasn't planning to so I didn't ask specifically. I contemplated getting the shoulder bag but I knew I'd want the cooler and extra battery and after seeing some reviews online about the bag being too small I decided against it. If you do plan to order accessories, do it when you order your pump because 1. it's cheaper than in store and 2. shipping is free if it comes along with the pump. I came out of pocket $29.50 for the batter and cooler which I used my flex spending card for.
So I went to yummymummy.com because it seemed to be the most user-friendly. It was extremely easy and all I had to do was select which insurance I had, it gave me options and I ordered. Hopefully it's as easy as it seemed to be! I ordered the Medela PISA starter and I hope I made the right choice. The Ameda Purely Yours seemed to come with a lot more, like the carrying bag and storage stuff (I know nothing about breast pumps, literally zilch. Zero. Nada.), but with everyone recommending the Medela, I felt better going with that.
I have a response to read for medical mutual of Ohio when I get home, if anyone has them. I know the medela pisa is covered but they're going to tell me how to get it.
Anyone with Aetna have any information? I'm gonna call today, but if anyone had any prior experience with them, that would be great!
I have AETNA! I just ordered the Madela PISA through Sunmed. They lady was very nice there. They just took my insurance info to be sure what was covered and how much. I was covered 100% and no prescription necessary. You are able to upgrade but I don't think it's for the difference of what is covered. I wasn't planning to so I didn't ask specifically. I contemplated getting the shoulder bag but I knew I'd want the cooler and extra battery and after seeing some reviews online about the bag being too small I decided against it. If you do plan to order accessories, do it when you order your pump because 1. it's cheaper than in store and 2. shipping is free if it comes along with the pump. I came out of pocket $29.50 for the batter and cooler which I used my flex spending card for.
I was just reading on Lucie's List about the Medela and it shows in that picture the one with the bag. I'm regretting not ordering any accessories now. I thought about not having the cooler, but then thought it might not be a big deal. I was really wanting a carrying bag though! Which one will you use if you're not using one made for Medela specifically?
I was just reading on Lucie's List about the Medela and it shows in that picture the one with the bag. I'm regretting not ordering any accessories now. I thought about not having the cooler, but then thought it might not be a big deal. I was really wanting a carrying bag though! Which one will you use if you're not using one made for Medela specifically?SITB: I asked the rep about the bag and she said you can really use any bag that you want. The shoulder bag I was looking at had no special compartments or anything and was essentially an overpriced tote bag. I plan on going to Target or TJ Maxx to get a cute bag to bring it to work.
Ahhhh I know you've been stressing over this. BEST DAY EVER!
RIGHT?! Who knew I'd ever get so excited about a breast pump?!
I'd appeal with the insurance company. Some hospitals like for you to bring your pump--my lactation consultants checked my trumpets for proper fit, etc. I got several different answers as well, and just kept pestering them.
I loved my PISA. As much as you can love a pump. My current insurance doesn't supply that one, which makes me sad.
RIGHT?! Who knew I'd ever get so excited about a breast pump?!
I'd appeal with the insurance company. Some hospitals like for you to bring your pump--my lactation consultants checked my trumpets for proper fit, etc. I got several different answers as well, and just kept pestering them.
I loved my PISA. As much as you can love a pump. My current insurance doesn't supply that one, which makes me sad.
Thanks for the advice. I will check with my OB at my next appointment and see what she says and if the LC at my hospital prefer for me to bring it with. If so, I'll fight with insurance. I work in medical billing, so I do that for a living everyday!
So I went to yummymummy.com because it seemed to be the most user-friendly. It was extremely easy and all I had to do was select which insurance I had, it gave me options and I ordered. Hopefully it's as easy as it seemed to be! I ordered the Medela PISA starter and I hope I made the right choice. The Ameda Purely Yours seemed to come with a lot more, like the carrying bag and storage stuff (I know nothing about breast pumps, literally zilch. Zero. Nada.), but with everyone recommending the Medela, I felt better going with that.
I just ordered mine from here as well! Thanks ladies, you just saved me a huge headache with calling all over the place. I also ordered the Medela PISA. I've never heard of the other brand, which is why I didn't order it. everyone I've talked with has only good things to say about the Medela.
Wanted to follow up with my Aetna peeps who ordered through yummymummy. They don't process the order until 60 days before your due date, so sometime in April. I just called to see if I filled everything out correctly since it's been in pending status for nearly a month.
I also used sunmed medical, nicest lady Joanne took my info and confirmed Medela PISA was covered. I ordered the messenger bag as well. I'll look into other accessories later. No rx needed and it'll ship on Monday call them 8007147434. Give your insurance info and she'll look up the benefits. BTW I'm insured with BCBS/IBC.
Baby Elliott (technically) due 6.13.2015 but born via c-section on 4.12.2015 at 31w1d after 31d of hospital arrest (think house arrest) for monitoring.
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