Hey everyone, I have a question about breast pumps. I called my insurance company and they said that they will cover a breast pump, but only after delivery. My questions are, has this been typical for those of you who have gone through your insurance for breast pumps? Also, did you need the breast pump right away or did you find it you could wait a little while? Thanks!
Post by mommyofkaylin on Jan 21, 2015 18:09:57 GMT -5
I called my insurance a few weeks ago and they also told me I couldn't order it until I delivered. It's a good thing I don't plan to exclusively pump, but I know many moms who do that. I think it's stupid. I just hope it comes quickly after I order it.
Post by huggabugga11 on Jan 21, 2015 18:12:25 GMT -5
Luckily, my insurance sent it to me without having to deliver, but I know with DS I didn't use it right away really. I was more concerned about establishing a good latch and a good supply with just baby first, and then I began introducing the pump. So probably after about a week or so. Hope that helps!
My insurance sent mine right away when I called. I did start pumping right after DS was born. The LCs had me pumping in the hospital (he was in the NICU) and I pumped at home since my supply was low. However, most likely you'd be fine ordering after birth since its not recommended to start pumping until supply has been established (a few weeks after birth).
I ordered mine today - my insurance will let you order it up to 60 days in advance. But multiple people have told me that they didn't start pumping for a few weeks after birth, so hopefully you'll be ok!
Post by katydid2015 on Jan 21, 2015 18:46:59 GMT -5
I'm not sure yet when my insurance will let me order mine. I just got the prescription from my dr today. But I also plan to wait at least two weeks to start pumping, if not longer if I can manage. I'll be a SAHM so I don't need to stockpile or anything.
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My hospital has them in stock for you to bring home. I also won't have a choice in which pump I receive. With my daughter I didn't have an issue with the pump I received so I don't foresee a problem this time around either.
This is how my insurance did it when I had my first baby. I called the day after she was born, but it took them 1-2 weeks to get it to me so I ended up having to rent a hospital grade pump from a medical supply store.
Post by drudolph11 on Jan 21, 2015 19:13:54 GMT -5
Mine is only covering a manual right now. My doctor and i ate still fighting with them. I know that i can get one through WIC but when i called they said i would have to wait 4 weeks after birth but i think those are only available to rent so i dunno what the hell in gonna do of my insurance continues to be stubborn. But i suppose they just don't want to have to spend the money on the thing if they don't have to because they are an insurance company lol i would suggest taking advantage of the use of one at the hospital to make sure your good to go and then hopefully you can wait it out to receive yours. Just make sure to call right away life while your at the hospital the way they can get things going immediately.
We just talked to our insurance yesterday and they said they won't order it until "Within 30 days of edd" and then it would be 5-7 bus days for delivery. Whatever, I'm just so glad I don't have to buy one!
Post by ashleyrh661 on Jan 21, 2015 19:46:21 GMT -5
I got the manual medela pump for this reason. Although I'm a SAHM so I'm not sure if I'll even need an electric pump. I used one with DS and ended up not nursing and just pumping and I really want to avoid that this time.
My insurance sent it to me right away when I asked for it; I guess I am eligible for one a year, so I ordered it right before the end of last year in case anything comes up this year. They gave me a third party medical equipment supplier to call, and I called them and the pump was at my home two business days later.
From everything I've read, it doesn't sound like in most scenarios you need it right away. Though I'm a FTM so can't say first hand.
Hey everyone, I have a question about breast pumps. I called my insurance company and they said that they will cover a breast pump, but only after delivery. My questions are, has this been typical for those of you who have gone through your insurance for breast pumps? Also, did you need the breast pump right away or did you find it you could wait a little while? Thanks!
This is, from what I hear, often the case. Everyone's BFing journey is different, so it is super hard to say whether you'll need it sooner rather than later. My milk never came in and I had a very complicated BFing journey that meant I DID need a pump right after delivery and used it from the start. No one can predict if you'll end up needing it from the start or not. If all goes according to plan with BFing, you shouldn't need it right away, but again, who knows...?
Worse case scenario, if you want to wait for your insurance pump, you can probably rent a pump from the hospital.
My insurance sucks for pumps. I don't even want to address that, but I started pumping within the first week. I wanted to start building a stockpile and I wasn't having any issues.
My insurance wants you to wait until third tri, and get it as late as possible. But from what I've read regarding BFing, it's ideal to wait until you've been BFing at least 6 weeks until you start pumping so you can establish a good supply first. Now, I'm a FTM and have no idea if that's true or not. Just what I've read. And not everyone will have the luxury to take 6 weeks to BF before having to do other stuff anyways.
I was with DH's insurance unti 12/31/14 they would let me get it in the third trimester but now I have switched plans and I can't get it until after I deliver. I will just rent one from the hospital the first month.
Post by coozieinmypurse on Jan 21, 2015 21:28:06 GMT -5
Mine required a prescription from my OB, but I was able to order it as soon as I had that. It's on its way to me now. Thank goodness for the Babies R Us pump number; I couldn't otherwise find a DME that worked with my insurance plan.
I don't plan to pump for at least a month after LO is born, but I also feel good about having it on hand just in case. As others said, you can probably rent at the hospital if necessary.
I know you've had a ton of responses already but my husband called last week and they shipped it already. We didn't have to have a prescription or wait until I give birth. I don't plan on breastfeeding so I will need the pump right away.
The first time around, I wished that I had had it on hand when my milk came in. I just got so engorged that DS wouldn't be able to latch on, and then he'd be pissed and I'd be stressed, and then I'd end up hand-expressing in the shower while DH tried to calm him down. Not. Pretty. After I got my pump, I would pump just a small bit to begin letdown and relieve some of the pressure. I just had a single electric for occasional use, but I would suggest thinking about purchasing a manual pump for the week or two between delivery and when the one from your insurance shows up (especially if you can just leave it in the box for "emergencies," and then take it back if you don't end up using it).
Post by atangiblewish on Jan 21, 2015 23:06:24 GMT -5
When I got mine for DD I just called and they gave me a few medical supplies places local to me. I called them and they got a script from my dr and it was sent to me about a week later. I don't see why they would wait until after delivery since you need it right away. Maybe a doctors script will rush it?
The first time around, I wished that I had had it on hand when my milk came in. I just got so engorged that DS wouldn't be able to latch on, and then he'd be pissed and I'd be stressed, and then I'd end up hand-expressing in the shower while DH tried to calm him down. Not. Pretty. After I got my pump, I would pump just a small bit to begin letdown and relieve some of the pressure. I just had a single electric for occasional use, but I would suggest thinking about purchasing a manual pump for the week or two between delivery and when the one from your insurance shows up (especially if you can just leave it in the box for "emergencies," and then take it back if you don't end up using it).
This! So much this! I ended up so engorged that my nipples went flat and baby couldn't latch! They do have little silicone nipple shields that you can place over your own nipples that acts like a bottle nipple (and I will be buying them again). They do help but not as much as pumping can sometimes.
My insurance sent it to me right away when I asked for it; I guess I am eligible for one a year, so I ordered it right before the end of last year in case anything comes up this year. They gave me a third party medical equipment supplier to call, and I called them and the pump was at my home two business days later.
From everything I've read, it doesn't sound like in most scenarios you need it right away. Though I'm a FTM so can't say first hand.
This is exactly like my insurance. I ordered a double electric in 2014 and i'm considering getting a manual now that it's 2015. I went to a breastfeeding class last night and they said not to pump right away and just to establish breastfeeding and your supply, so you should be fine if you have to wait. If there is a medical problem that requires pumping you can use the hospital pump, which would be better for medical issues anyway.
My insurance sends the pump out a month before the due date. In theory, that is a good idea because the warranty isn't running when it's not being used. I just wish it was earlier so I could learn it (but not actually use it) before the babe gets here.
I am with kaiser and I spoke to the lactating nurse at my location earlier this week. She said I will make an appointment with her when I make my LOs first appt, she said normally on day 3 after delivery, and she will go over breast feeding and using the pump, and ill go home same day with the pump.
The first time around, I wished that I had had it on hand when my milk came in. I just got so engorged that DS wouldn't be able to latch on, and then he'd be pissed and I'd be stressed, and then I'd end up hand-expressing in the shower while DH tried to calm him down. Not. Pretty. After I got my pump, I would pump just a small bit to begin letdown and relieve some of the pressure. I just had a single electric for occasional use, but I would suggest thinking about purchasing a manual pump for the week or two between delivery and when the one from your insurance shows up (especially if you can just leave it in the box for "emergencies," and then take it back if you don't end up using it).
This! So much this! I ended up so engorged that my nipples went flat and baby couldn't latch! They do have little silicone nipple shields that you can place over your own nipples that acts like a bottle nipple (and I will be buying them again). They do help but not as much as pumping can sometimes.
I never tried those… some of my friends got some serious nipple chafing/irritation because of the friction of the shield when the baby was nursing. Did you just use lanisoh? There are *lots* of things I'm looking forward to with this little… establishing breastfeeding (assuming it works out) is definitely not one of them.
ETA: double quote fail… annnnnnnd, "love tits" on a nursing thread. heh.
If you have to work with a DME provider, it may be worth identifying one now and having them ready to pull the trigger on paperwork and shipping as soon as you let them know you've delivered.
I don't know how it works with different insurance companies, nor if this company works with insurance outside of Massachusetts or New England, but I received really great service and quick delivery from Healthy Baby Essentials (https://www.healthybabyessentials.com). I was prequalified by them on a Monday, asked a few questions via email and decided to order my breastpump on a Tuesday and it was at my door on Thursday.
My insurance just needed a prescription from my doctor, I already got mine.
I didn't use a pump until 4 weeks post partum as I wanted to make sure my supply was established and regulated. I'm sure this depends on the baby and how the latching and supply is going. I've known people that have brought theirs to the hospital with them. Worse case scenario is you could use on from the hospital until yours arrived.
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