Kerry has asked about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and breast pumps. The
United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA) has received MANY
reports regarding inappropriate breast pumps being issued by insurers,
delays in obtaining a pump, and mass confusion among payers over how to
interpret the ACA's mandate on breastfeeding equipment. Since the
Department of Health and Human Services has issued no guidelines for
insurers, the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) and the National
Breastfeeding Center (NBfC) collaborated to develop recommendations. The
resulting joint publication, *Model Policy: Payer Coverage of Breastfeeding
Support and Counseling Services, Pumps and
Supplies*<http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/LinkClick.aspx?link=344&tabid=345>,
identifies best practices for payers that appropriately meet the
requirements of the ACA and ensure adequate delivery of support for
breastfeeding. The *Model Policy* was drafted in a collaborative effort
with medical, legal, regulatory, lactation, public health, and insurance
experts.

I had the privilege of contributing to this document which can be found at
http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Portals/0/Publications/Model-Policy-Payer-Coverage-Breastfeeding-Support.pdf.
This is a model of what payers should cover under the ACA and can be shared
with every insurer in your state. Lactnetters can send this to insurers in
their state, explaining that these guidelines represent evidence-based best
practices. If mothers are complaining about problems with pumps or with
accessing lactation care and services then have them send this model policy
to their insurer too.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome