[Magic_Mikki]

Hello! I just contacted my insurance company to see if breastpumps are covered by our plan, and they are not. (They only cover it due to things like prematurity and the baby has the stay in the NICU or something.) I asked if they would cover it if I had a prescription from a ped, and they still said no.

Any ideas of what I can do? My hospital sells the Ameda Truly Yours (something like that?) for only $180, which is a huge discount compared to the store price, but I really like the Medela Pump In Style. We borrowed this particular pump from a friend when I attempted BF Alex, but my friend recently had another baby, so now she's using it agian, and I'm on my own!

Maybe I should try Craigslist? Or just suck it up and spend the $279 for the Medela or the $180 for the Ameda?

[ruthann8]

Sorry insurance won't cover a breastpump. I would wait to buy a pump for 4-8wks if possible. How ofter will you be needing to pump? If you will be pumping regularly I would get what you want and like. If you will only need to pump once in awhile, go for something less expensive. The only pump I am familar with is the Medela Pump In Style and I like it!

[KR258]

What insurance is it, if you don't mind me asking?

[twinzplus3]

I'd call back and ask again--they should cover it if you have a precription. In fact, I'd actually ask your pedi to write one. . .and then call back and tell them you have one and will they cover it. I'm guessing you need to talk to the right person.

[twinzplus3]

BTW--I would never use a used pump from someone I didn't know.

[altland]

Your WIC office should be able to help you. They have loaners and sometimes they will give you one. They come with all the tubing, everything the milk touches, in a sealed new bag. If you decide to get a used one, you should get all the tubing and plastic pieces the milk touches, brand new. Milk is a bodily fluid and can carry things another person might have that you don't want your baby to have. The pump's manufacturer should be able to sell you the peices you need. But try the health department or WIC office. They will probably help you.

[twinzplus3]

They'll help if you qualify for WIC. . .

[DK615617]

Have the pedi write a Rx for it saying that the baby had "feeding problems-and that it was medically nessecary" I think at that point it is covered......but Tiffany is 18 months old and I am stillllllllll trying to get my money back from Blue Cross adn Blue Shield of Florida!!!! I HATE INSURANCE......they take your money without a problem, but try to use your insurance for what it is there for and they don't like it at all.
Oh well, what can you do.
I have the Mededlla pump in style....I liked it.
I have seen quite a few on Craigslist here. But if you do get a used one, you need to buy new tubing, and new bottles and the cup thingies, basically replace everything except the pump itself....you don't want "cooties"

[mcmama]

We need ads for breast pumps that mimic those other things that are covered by health insurance for whatever reason.

Imagine. VeeeVaaaahhhh.....Me-DA-LAAAA!

[purelegance]

if you use a pump from another person it will void the warranty and medela will not cover any issue you may have. you don't really need the pump until 6+ weeks, so i would just save what money i can until that point. if you register at target (i'm sure other stores do it too), and nobody buys it for you, they'll send you a coupon for i think 10% off anything off your registry. GL