The Affordable Care Act states that breastfeeding support, supplies and equipment should be covered with no co-pay, no deductible, for the duration of breastfeeding. Lactation consulting is provided as a “Women’s Preventive Service.”

Currently, Aetna is the only company that covers lactation support, meaning no out of pocket cost to you. Several of us in LC Home Visits are Aetna preferred providers. You can contact Shelly Taft, Heather Bingham and Christine Fisher Rothman. They will bill insurance directly. We can help you find other Aetna providers if need be.

Two in-network providers with Unicare are Shelly Taft and Michelle Stolow.

In our experience, Harvard Pilgrim, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts and some Tufts health plans have been reimbursing for IBCLC home visits. This means that you pay the IBCLC directly. You can pay by credit card, check or cash. She will provide you with a receipt with information for your insurance company.

We suggest that you call your insurance company to confirm what they provide for breast-feeding support. Sometimes you may be given an exception for an out-of-network provider if they do not have in-network providers. It's always a good idea to document all your calls and correspondences so it’s clear what you’ve been told.

To be clear, an IBCLC is a lactation specialist. This is an internationally recognized certification, considered the most rigorous standard for lactation education.This requires the most background in lactation education and clinical, one-on-one experience. Sometimes the providers an insurance company offers are licensed, but they do not have the same lactation specific background as an IBCLC Lactation Consultant.

Breastfeeding help is a healthy investment for the whole family and even for the planet! The longer a mother breastfeeds, the more long-term health benefits for her and her baby. In addition. you’ll save money on formula, bottles and likely less doctor visits. You also reduce the amount of trash and plastics. It’s a win win situation for everyone.