What breastfeeding & lactation issues can we help with?

We can help with numerous breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and bottle feeding concerns and more, including (but not limited to): sore nipples and painful nursing, cracked or damaged nipples, latching challenges, breast refusal, slow weight gain, low milk supply, engorgement, plugged ducts, exclusive pumping, flange fitting, pump troubleshooting, tongue tie, thrush, reflux, nipple shield use, bottle feeding and bottle refusal, prenatal preparation, going back to work, drop-in supply, oversupply, supplementing, introducing solids, weaning, relactation and induced lactation, etc.

Is a lactation consult covered by insurance?

Yes! We are in-network with some Aetna, BCBS/Anthem, Cigna, MultiPlan, PNOA, and UHC insurance plans, so we can file claims to those insurance carriers for possible reimbursement.

If you have Aetna, we ask that you call your insurance plan to verify coverage for lactation services before booking an appointment. Please refer to your plan benefits and call your insurance directly to verify lactation coverage and that Beyond Birth Collective LLC is in-network for your plan. We are unable to verify insurance benefits for Aetna members.

We are also partnered with The Lactation Network to provide care to families with certain Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Anthem, Cigna, MultiPlan, PNOA, and UHC insurance coverage. To find out if your lactation consult is covered through TLN please click here and fill out the request to verify your insurance. You will receive a determination of coverage typically within a few hours (unless it is a weekend). Many families are eligible to receive 6 lactation visits with no cost-sharing (travel fees not covered by insurance apply).

* Please note that all TLN clients will be assessed a $50 travel fee for each visit and this fee is not billable to insurance.

If you have insurance other than those listed above, you can be seen as a self-pay patient. A credit card must be put on file to reserve your appointment time, and the full amount of the visit will be charged to your card on the day of your appointment.

Lactation consultants are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). I will provide you with a superbill after each office, in-home, or virtual lactation consult for you to request reimbursement, if you wish, from your insurance provider. For more information about your right to lactation support under the Affordable Care Act please visit the National Women’s Law Center toolkit.

What is an IBCLC?

IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. We are healthcare professionals who specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding. We are required to have education in the health sciences, lactation specific education, over 500 clinical hours providing care and support for breastfeeding families, and pass an international certification exam. In order to keep our certification we must complete a required amount of continuing education and practice hours in our field.

How do you do a breastfeeding or lactation consult virtually?

Virtual breastfeeding consulting sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video chat platform. We will ask you to complete a thorough history of both you and your baby before your first virtual consult with us. Initial visits can take up to 90 minutes and follow-up visits can take up to 60 minutes. First, we will go over the history you provided and we will listen to all your concerns. We will ask you detailed questions about how feeding your baby is going. Ideally, your baby will be ready for a feed at our appointment time so we can observe latching and feeding. If you are exclusively pumping or bottle-feeding we can observe this as well. We will then provide an assessment and a plan of care for feeding your baby. We will agree upon a time to follow up and we will send the visit notes to you and your baby’s care providers. We will also provide any additional referrals if needed.

Does my insurance cover a breast pump?

Private Insurance- Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health plans must cover breastfeeding equipment (breast pump) and supplies “for the duration of breastfeeding” without cost-sharing. It may be either a pump you’ll keep or a rental. Your plan may have guidelines on whether the covered pump is manual or electric, the length of the rental, when you’ll receive it (before or after birth), and if you need a prescription from your doctor. Contact your health insurance carrier to ask about getting a breast pump.

Medicaid- Each state is different, so you need to check the coverage in your state because they may have different requirements. 

Uninsured- I suggest you contact your local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) office if you don’t have medical coverage and are unable to cover the cost of a breast pump.