How to Get a Free Breast Pump Through Insurance

After you’ve had a baby, a breast pump can be an important tool that helps you extract milk. You can store the breast milk for your baby, which makes it easy for you and other people to feed your newborn whenever you need to from the bottle.

Did you know you can get a free breast pump from insurance? This guide explains how to obtain this essential postpartum tool for free.

Your insurance plan must provide a free breast pump

According to the Affordable Care Act through healthcare.gov, all health insurance plans, including Marketplace and Medicaid plans, must provide breastfeeding equipment for the duration of breastfeeding. This includes breast pumps.

There are a few exceptions for grandfathered health insurance plans, which may not offer the same rights and protections that other plans under the Affordable Care Act provide. You can check with your plan’s terms or benefits administrator to check if your plan is grandfathered.

What kind of free breast pump can you get through insurance?

Typically, your insurance plan will cover a free breast pump that follows your doctor’s recommendations on what’s medically appropriate. You may need to get your doctor’s pre-authorization in order to secure the free breast pump of your choice.

Coverage may extend to brand-new breast pumps, but it may be limited to a rental unit. Some plans will offer a certain amount of coverage and reimburse you for that amount, giving you the opportunity to purchase or rent the breast pump of your choice and pay the difference.

There may also be guidelines on:

• The length of the rental, if the pump is rented
• Whether you’ll receive the breast pump before or after birth
• Whether the covered pump is manual or electric

If you want a different type of breast pump than is covered by your insurance, ask about options you may have to upgrade your pump and pay the difference.

Steps to get your free breast pump

To get your free breast pump through insurance, take the following steps.

• Find out your coverage. Unless you have a grandfathered account, you’re legally able to get free breast pump coverage. Determine if you’re covered for a certain amount of money or a certain kind of breast pump.
• Learn what you need to do to apply. Since some insurance plans will require a doctor’s preauthorization or order, you’ll want to have this information ready so you can get your breast pump when you need it.
• Research when you can apply. Also, find out if you can apply for a free breast pump when you’re pregnant or if you need to wait until after giving birth.

Once you know all the rules and regulations your insurer has for getting your free breast pump, you can follow the steps to coordinate getting one with the help of your doctor.

If you don’t have health insurance, you can pay for the breast pump yourself. Some Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics also provide breast pump support for mothers who are uninsured. Avoid sharing breast pumps with others, as they need to be properly sterilized in order to be safe for use.

Get more motherhood savings tips from Save

Motherhood is an exciting journey! At Save, we’ve rounded up lots of tips to help you decrease expenses and create a safe and happy life with your little ones. Check out:

• Best diaper subscriptions to help you save
• Easy DIY sensory bin fillers for babies
• How to toddler proof your home
• DIY sensory play ideas for toddlers

Want more savings on things like groceries and home goods? Sign up for the free Save coupon book delivered to your door.