No one ever said that having a new baby isn’t without its fair share of new challenges and costs. Wouldn’t it be great if some of those, like a breast pump, could be taken care of for you? And doubly awesome if it’s with the help of your employer or better yet by your insurance company. So today we’re going to discuss the ins and outs of using your health insurance, and employer sponsored or tax deferred savings account to do just that.
But before we do that, let’s get clear on a couple things:
- Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) it's mandatory that insurance plans cover a breast pump at no cost. Medicaid and most state-funded programs also have a similar baseline coverage requirement. But because the type and cost of the pump is not specified, coverage can vary between providers. So it’s important you understand your policy coverage details including pump types, makes and additional equipment, dollar amount limits and deductibles, purchase method (direct or through an in-network supplier for example) and prescription and waiting period requirements.
- Breast pumps are considered durable medical equipment (DME) which makes them, and related accessories like bottles or shields, eligible for coverage by insurance and various types of health savings accounts. Whether you buy one directly or through a distributor like our partner Milk Moms, the pump is still considered DME.
Now, let’s discuss your options for getting this puppy paid for.
- Employer-provided health insurance. If your workplace offers health insurance, you may be able to get a Limerick breast pump through a DME supplier covered under your plan. Find out if we already work with your provider.
- Private Insurance. If you have a private health insurance policy, you can obtain a Limerick breast pump through a DME supplier. As above, check to see if your insurance is accepted by Milk Moms.
- Government Provided Insurance. If you have health insurance through Medicaid, expenses related to purchasing or using a breast pump and supplies are also covered.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Offered through your employer, these accounts let you set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses. While the funds are not subject to federal income, Social Security, or Medicare taxes, remember that you lose whatever money is unused by the end of the year. Assuming your choice of breast pump is FSA eligible, which most Limerick pumps are, you can purchase it directly from a retailer or online and then submit a claim to your FSA provider for reimbursement.
- Health Savings Account (HSA). Available to anyone with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), this type of savings account lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. Like an FSA, you may cover your breast pump out-of-pocket costs using funds from this type of account. Also, HSA funds roll over year to year if you don't spend them and may earn non-taxable interest or other income.
So that’s it for now. Hopefully we’ve given you a clear and concise summary of the key things you need to know to plan a smarter way to make your favorite Limerick breast pump more affordable and easier to get. Remember, details matter here so get familiar with both what you’re looking for in a breast pump and cross reference that with what your health plan or savings accounts will support. We also want to encourage you to check out the many additional resources we have on our site to help you make the most informed and stress-free decision possible. Happy pumping!
