You have a million things to do before the baby arrives. Packing the hospital bag takes forever. Setting up the crib hurts your back. The last thing you want is another chore. But here is some good news. Checking your pump eligibility takes almost no time. Seriously. You can do this in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. Let me show you how.
Where to Look First
Most pregnant moms have no idea about breast pumps covered by insurance. That is fine. You are learning now. The Affordable Care Act says most plans must cover a pump for free. But free does not mean automatic. You still have to check your specific plan. Some cover any pump you want. Some only cover certain brands. Some make you wait until after the baby arrives. The only way to know is to check. Do not assume anything. Insurance companies love fine print.
The Fastest Way: Call the Number on Your Card
Grab your insurance card right now. Look at the back. See that customer service number? Call it. This takes two minutes. Tell the person who answers, “I am pregnant and want to know if I qualify for a free breast pump.” They will ask for your name and date of birth. Give them that info. Then they check your plan. That is it. They will tell you yes or no. They will also tell you the rules. Write down everything they say. Keep that paper in your baby folder.
The Second Fastest Way: Log Into Your Online Portal
Maybe you hate phone calls. I get it. Some people would rather poke their own eye. Good news. Most insurance companies have a website or an app. Log into your account. Look for a search bar. Type “breast pump” or “durable medical equipment.” A page should pop up. It might show your exact benefit. It might give you a list of approved suppliers. It might tell you to call anyway. But often the answer is right there on the screen. No talking to humans required.
What to Ask When You Get Someone on the Phone
Do not just hang up after they say yes. Ask specific questions. First question. “When can I order?” Some plans say 28 weeks pregnant. Some say after birth. Second question. “Do I need a prescription from my doctor?” Most say yes. Third question. “Which suppliers are in-network?” Get three names. Fourth question. “What pumps are covered?” Ask about upgrades too. You might pay a little extra for a nicer pump. Write every answer down. The person on the phone might be wrong sometimes. Having notes protects you.
What If You Already Had the Baby
Do not panic if your baby is already here. You can still check your eligibility. The rules are a little different but not impossible. Most plans give you a window after birth. That window might be 30 days. It might be 60 days. Some plans give you a full year. Call and ask anyway. Even if you are late, some plans make exceptions. Be honest about your baby’s age. The worst they can say is no. And a no costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time.
What About Medicaid or Marketplace Plans
Medicaid rules vary by state. Most state Medicaid programs cover breast pumps. But you have to check your specific state. Call your Medicaid office directly. Do not call the general number. Ask for the maternity or women’s health department. Marketplace plans from Healthcare.gov almost always cover pumps. Those plans follow the Affordable Care Act closely. But again, check first. Do not assume. A five minute phone call saves you from paying two hundred dollars later.
A Trick to Speed Everything Up
Here is a pro tip. Before you call anyone, get your information ready. You need your insurance ID number. You need your date of birth. You need your due date or your baby’s birth date. Write these three things on a sticky note. Put that note next to your phone. Also have a pen and paper ready. Do not trust your memory. You will forget what they said five minutes later. I promise. Write it all down. Even the boring parts.
Final Thought
Checking your breast pump eligibility is not hard. It is one phone call or one website visit. That is five to ten minutes of your life. You spend longer than that picking out baby onesies. So just do it. Make the call today. Get your answer. Then order your pump. Future you will be so happy. Future you will be pumping milk while watching TV. And future you will not be stressed about money or paperwork. Go make that call. Right now. You have got this.
Jennie Powell is the co-founder of Conversations With Bianca, a leading mom blog. Her creative writing style sparks reader-friendly and engaging content that’s adored by parents and bloggers. Jennie loves to empower and educate moms. This has helped Conversations With Bianca gain a loyal following.
Jennie’s unique voice is seen in her blog posts. She gives insight into the everyday lives of moms and offers helpful parenting info. Her commitment to providing relevant content distinguishes her from other bloggers in the parenting niche.