If you’ve just given birth and are a first-time parent, your body and mind are making some significant adjustments. While having a new baby is wonderful in many ways, it can also be stressful and difficult.
It’s common for new parents to feel anxious in the lead-up to the birth, but sometimes, the physical symptoms and changes in postpartum catch people off guard. Breastfeeding can sometimes be difficult, and in these cases, many parents are looking for resources.
However, cost plays a significant role in finding help for many individuals and families.
So, to help you find the resources you need as a postpartum parent, let’s explore whether most insurance companies cover lactation products/resources and how you can access such.
Contacting Your Insurance: The First Step
The first step in determining what your benefits include is to contact your insurance provider directly. Whether you obtained insurance through the federal marketplace or your employer, each company and plan is different.
While you may have received a booklet of benefits, it’s not comprehensive and can be difficult to decipher. So, the quickest way to learn about insurance benefits for lactating parents is to contact the insurance provider directly.
How Likely Is It That My Insurance Will Provide Lactation Support Resources?
The good news is that many insurance plans cover various breastfeeding resources.
Many health insurance plans will cover a lactation consultant, breastfeeding counseling, and even breastfeeding equipment. However, you still want to talk to your insurance directly, as specific coverage will vary. Also, some plans have higher deductibles than others.
Why Receiving Lactation Support Matters
While breastfeeding is sometimes presented as a simple thing, many parents deal with difficulties during the process. In fact, around 70% of new parents report issues with breastfeeding. However, there are many benefits to providing breastmilk to your baby, so working through these problems is a good idea.
By getting support through lactation consultants or other resources, you can avoid frustration and ensure both you and your baby are in good health.
Because many insurance plans either fully or partially cover lactation consultations, you’ll have a trained professional who can help you with common breastfeeding issues, such as trouble latching or mastitis symptoms.
What Is A Lactation Consultant?
If you’ve never heard of lactation consultants, you may question who these individuals are and what they do.
According to Cleveland Clinic, “Lactation consultants undergo specialized training and certification to offer support, advice, and guidance to people who choose to breastfeed.”
Other Lactation Benefits Offered By Insurance
While the support of an IBCLC is often invaluable during the first few months of feeding your baby, you may need additional lactation resources. Many insurance companies will also provide coverage for additional equipment, including breastfeeding pumps.
Many parents need to return to work, and using a pump allows these parents to have flexibility while still ensuring optimal nutrition for their baby.
Certified lactation consultants offer insurance-covered consultations, providing transformative support for new mothers dealing with breastfeeding challenges or anxiety. From perfecting holds and correcting latches to being a supportive cheerleader, these professionals are here for you during the stressful journey of new motherhood.
While the Affordable Care Act does require health insurance plans to cover breastfeeding pumps, some have lower deductibles than others. You’ll also need to check with your insurance to see which brands and types of breast pumps they cover, as this can vary. Otherwise, they might not reimburse you.
If you have more questions about breastfeeding benefits and what is covered, you can also check out this guide from Healthcare.gov. There are resources to help you, so don’t be afraid to seek them out!