Breast Pumps are another tool you have to feed your baby. With a pump you have added flexibility to be away from your baby. You also have a tool to boost your milk supply. And, if you’re in the US you can get one for free. We sat down with Zomee founder Dina Shanowitz to learn all the tips Here’s how to do it.  

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Understand Your Health Coverage Benefit

If you’re in the US and have health insurance, you’ll be able to get a breast pump for free. The details beyond that will vary based on your specific health insurance plan and the state you live in. This is a benefit included in the Affordable Care Act so it counts for everyone, even Medicaid plans.

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Your first step is to figure out what is covered. There’s no easy way to do this so we recommend you call your insurance company. 

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When you talk to someone ask these questions: 

• Are there any restrictions to which pump I can get?
• When can I get my pump?
• What documentation do I need? (Like do I need a prescription from my doctor?)
• Can I purchase a pump from a regular store and submit the receipt for reimbursement? If yes, where can I find the reimbursement request insurance form, and where do I mail it?
• What medical supply companies are you contracted with?
• What other breastfeeding supplies are covered by my plan?

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Keep All Documentation

It’s smart to take notes when you talk to your insurance provider so you can go back to those later. Also keep all emails, receipts and document other forms of communication. 

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What is a Medical Supply Company? 

These are companies that your insurance company has contracted with to fulfill your pump order. You need to ask which ones you can use. There might be one or two options for you. Almost all are online. 

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What is a DME?

A medical supply company is a ‘Durable Medical Equipment’ (or DME!) provider. A breast pump is considered a DME because it is a ‘medically necessary item’ used at home. 

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Get the Documentation

Now that you’ve called your health insurance provider and know what documentation you need, it’s time to go get it! Sorry this process involves lots of calling! 

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Pick a Breast Pump

It's on you to pick out the best pump for your situation! Have you taken our quiz to understand what type of pump you need? This will help you understand where and how much you’ll pump so you can choose what’s best for you.

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The Pump I Want Isn’t Covered, What Do I Do?

Ugh! This is common. There are FOUR ways around it.

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1. Explore the Upgrades

Is the pump you want partially covered? Here some medical supply companies let you pay out of pocket for an upgrade. 

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2. Buy Direct from the Breast Pump Company

Buy the pump you want out of pocket. In some cases the newer more innovative pumps are not fully covered anywhere, especially the wearables. 

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3. Get Your Village Involved

Ville is here to mobilize your village. Use some of your Villie Baby Fund to get your pump for free. 

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4. Purchase Multiple Pumps

In some cases, you might want two pumps. So you get one covered by insurance and pay for the other.

• You want one pump to live at home and one at the office. If your pump is large and bulky this is the way to go.
• You want to travel and want one of the wearables only partially covered. We’ve seen some moms get a standard pump with insurance and then pay out of pocket for the Zomee Fit because they want something that better fits their life.

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This is actually pretty common, especially because you can’t really try out breast pumps before you buy them!

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It’s Time to Shop!

Sorry if you thought getting a pump for free would be easier than getting your dinner delivered. Hope this process doesn’t feel so daunting. Start with the phone call to your insurance. You’ve got this.