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This week is World Breastfeeding Week, when people from all over the world celebrate breastfeeding. It may surprise you to hear that there’s a connection between breastfeeding and insurance.
The Affordable Care Act requires most health insurance plans to provide breastfeeding and lactation support, equipment and counseling to women during and after pregnancy as long as they are breastfeeding.
- While insurers must cover breast pumps, plan vary by what type of pump they cover, if they help pay for a rental or purchased pump, and if the pump needs to be pre-authorized. Contact your insurance company to find out what your plan covers.
- Insurance plans must also cover lactation support for mothers and babies who are having trouble with breastfeeding or pumping.
According to womenshealth.gov, babies who are breastfed have lower risks of many health conditions including asthma, ear infections, SIDS, type 2 diabetes and respiratory infections. Breastfeeding also benefits mothers’ health, promotes infant-mother bonding and is more economical than buying formula.
Find more information:
- Breastfeeding benefits: – Healthcare.gov
- Breast Pumps and Insurance Coverage: what you need to know – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Breastfeeding a sustainable solution – The Olympian
Read more about women’s health insurance rights on our website. Questions? You can contact our consumer advocates online or at 1-800-562-6900.
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