FAQ
Though the Affordable Care Act requires all private health insurance carriers to provide breast pumps to pregnant and nursing mothers (at no cost), for insurance to cover that equipment (including breast pumps), it needs to be deemed medically necessary. For example, you may not be producing enough milk, so you would need a stronger, more durable pump. That’s where both we, and the doctor’s prescription, come in. All our pumps are considered hospital-grade and multi-user. Talk to your doctor and health insurance provider to figure out whether you need a prescription.
DME is an acronym for Durable Medical Equipment and is usually used when talking about companies that provide (supply) medical equipment covered by insurance. So, for, say, a breast pump, your insurance carrier might negotiate its rate with a DME or allow you to get your pump directly from them (or the hospital). If the Limerick pump you want isn’t covered by your insurance carrier’s list of DMEs, don’t worry; you may have other options. Call us for help in finding a DME that covers Limerick pumps.
No, we are not. Since we make our own pumps, we’re considered a manufacturer. Some health insurance providers will allow you to order directly from us, while others insist you go through their DME suppliers. If your health insurer’s DME suppliers don’t carry our pumps, don’t fret. Just give us a call, and we’ll do our best to help you out.
In general, breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling for pregnant and nursing mothers are covered. However, the phrasing of the Affordable Care Act’s law is pretty broad, which is why private insurance’s interpretation of it and their required coverage is broad as well. Also, insurance providers are not allowed to charge for shipping or a co-payment for any of the supplies or services they cover.
In certain circumstances, absolutely; it depends on how much money your insurance company will reimburse for a breast pump. If the pump you want is more than the insurance coverage, you may be able to upgrade if you pay the difference out of pocket, which is tax-deductible (you may want to check with your accountant). If cost is an issue, you may be able to pay the difference using your flexible spending account (FSA).
Because different insurance companies have different rules (for example, some require preapproval or a doctor’s prescription), and the last thing you want is to be stuck with a bill. Therefore, our advice is to always find out what those rules are and whom your insurance provider wants you to buy from before you spend any of your hard-earned dollars.
The simple answer is to ask for it, usually from your health insurance company. At a minimum, they can let you know if it’s covered. However, because many insurers are still playing catch-up with their coverage policies, the answer may not always be clear cut.
Often, it depends on your personal situation: the date you gave birth, where you’re situated (hospital or home), your baby’s health, your health, and/or your provider’s current policy. Know, however, that there are rarely one-size-fits-all solutions, so be proactive in explaining your specific needs.
Possibly. While the Affordable Care Act requires all private health insurance carriers to provide breast pumps to pregnant and nursing mothers at no cost, it does not specify the type of pump (hand pump, electric, or battery operated) or the minimum cost of the pump. It will depend on how much your insurance policy states they will pay for a breast pump.
“ES” stands for “Essential” and “EX” stands for “Executive.” Both the ES and the EX models are hospital-grade breast pumps and come with the ComforTouch kit. The ES comes with a convenient, over-the-shoulder backpack, while the EX has a larger tote that comes with additional inside pockets and a small-parts storage bag. It also comes with a universal car adapter for those who prefer to express while commuting or doing errands (not while driving), plus a soft, white lap cloth to protect your clothes during your sessions.
Also referred to as “multi-user,” it’s a health-industry term that means the pump is so incredibly safe that it can be used in a hospital, where pumps need to be shared by multiple users (once sanitized, of course!). In a hospital, that level of protection is crucial. Most retail electric breast pumps are single-user and should not be shared.
Because a pump that can pass a hospital’s high standards means your baby is getting one of the highest levels of protection available. Also, besides being incredibly durable, a hospital-grade pump has the ability to block potentially infectious particles, which can survive in the pump and/or its accessories for a surprisingly long period of time. Limerick pumps are not only hospital-grade, they’re also a closed-system, adding an extra level of protection.
A closed-system electric breast pump—which all of ours are—means it does not have any openings in the breast cup assembly, and it has a barrier in between the milk-collection kit and the pump mechanism. These special safety feature safeguards both your milk and your pump from exposure to impurities, like dust, smoke, or harmful (airborne) bacteria and viruses. Every Limerick electric breast pump uses Limerick’s ComforTouch kit that comes with a 1-micron filter. Because our lab-tested filter also prevents any milk particles from entering the pump itself, and because it filters the air being exhausted into the room, the risk for cross-contamination and reinfection is virtually eliminated.
Because every ComforTouch breast cup is made from a soft, flexible material called silicone that contours to your breast regardless of its shape or size. Add to that our patented vacuum and compression technology—which perfectly mimics your baby’s natural nursing pattern—and you end up with the most comfortable breast-pumping experience on the market. Even better, our innovative pairing of materials and technology actually reduces the risk for nipple pain, discomfort, and distortion that is often caused by the hard, plastic breast flanges sold by other breast-pump manufacturers.
The Vacuum/Strength knob controls the strength of both the suction and compression. The lower the number, the weaker the suction. For the Limerick Joy, most new moms prefer it be between 15 and 36. For the PJ’s Comfort, it’s between 7 and 15 (as indicated by the LEDs). Bottom line: It should be comfortable for you, so adjust the knob—slowly—to what feels right.
The Cycle/Speed simulates the rhythm of your baby’s sucking pattern. Use the knob for fine-tuning once you’ve settled on a comfortable vacuum strength. If, after several uses, the cycle still feels too fast, just turn it (to the left) in small increments, as little movements can make a big difference. The goal is to match your baby’s natural pattern.
Breast pumps purchased through the Limerick website with appropriate proof(s) of purchase may be returned within one month of purchase for a refund (minus the value of any personal accessories and a 25% restocking fee).
At Limerick, we are committed to doing our part to protect the environment. Our ComforTouch breast cups are made of soft, flexible silicone that contours to any breast size or shape, thus eliminating the need for wasteful plastic flanges. To expand our green efforts, we have partnered with the City of Burbank’s green consultant and have implemented several environmentally friendly and energy-efficient workplace practices. In addition, our multi-user breast pumps are manufactured for extended use by design.
Your electric breast pump only (not the ComforTouch breast cup kit) can be reused or sold for reuse as long as the new user obtains her own ComforTouch kit. Please note, however, that the original warranty does not transfer to the new owner. If you do not choose to share or sell your breast pump yourself, you may ship it back to Limerick and we will refurbish it and donate it to low-income families who would otherwise not have access to a multi-user breast pump.
Yes. Though you’re allowed to breastfeed anywhere you’d like, the Friendly Airports for Mothers Act, effective October 5, 2018, stipulates that all mothers traveling for work or pleasure must be provided with clean, private, and comfortable places to express their breast milk. To find out where these rooms are located, just pick up any of the white courtesy phones found at most airports or ask for help at the information kiosk. We’d like to thank Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, who referenced Limerick’s research in commissioning the bill.
Yes. Breast milk in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. TSA officers may need to test liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items. TSA officers may ask you to open the container and/or have you transfer a small quantity of the liquid to a separate empty container or dispose of a small quantity, if feasible.
Inform the TSA officer if you do not want the breast milk to be X-rayed or opened. Additional steps will be taken to clear the liquid, and you or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include a pat-down and screening of other carry-on property. These guidelines are for airports in the United States. If you are traveling abroad, make sure to check each country’s TSA guidelines.
Limerick makes this very easy with our Milk Shipping Kits that can ship your milk back to your baby and keep it at an appropriate temperature. We have several different-size kits for various travel needs, the Executive and the Deluxe (which comes in small, medium, and large sizes).
There are a few factors you should consider as you decide which milk shipment size is best for your trip. It depends on how long you’re traveling, how many ounces you pump in a 24-hour period, and the number of feedings your baby generally takes in 24 hours.
The Executive Kit can keep breast milk cold for up to 24 hours. This foam cooler can hold up to 32 ounces of breast milk and comes with eight 4-ounce bottles, seven ice packs (that need to be frozen), and eight zip-seal bags.
The Deluxe Travel Kit is a cooler with a cooling element in its lid once activated (no ice packs or freezing required), and comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
The Small Deluxe Kit refrigerates breast milk for up to 48 hours and comes with five 6-ounce storage bags.
The Medium Deluxe Kit refrigerates breast milk for up to 72 hours and comes with nine 6-ounce storage bags.
The Large Deluxe Kit refrigerates breast milk for up to 92 hours and comes with sixteen 6-ounce storage bags.
Contact us for help in finding the right kit for your travel needs.
You can ask the hotel concierge for their daily shipping carrier pickup schedule. Or contact your preferred shipping carrier to schedule a pickup from your hotel or to find out where the nearest drop-off location is and the latest drop-off time for overnight shipping of your milk.
Your lactation consultant will be available by phone or text between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PT. For after-hours support, call 818.566.3060, ext. 102, and press 4. Leave a brief message, and our on-call nurse will get back to you within two hours.
Some companies may cover extra accessories and others will require you to pay out of pocket. Breast pump accessories may be covered by your insurance, are tax-deductible (check with your accountant), and can be reimbursed with funds from your flexible spending account (FSA). Always check with your insurance provider first for coverage options.