Doraine - I get Medicaid reimbursement and have been exploring
possibilities for pumps beyond the hospital/separation standard.
I have gotten coverage for Moms returning to work when their babies are
breastfed and 'allergic to' or 'intolerant of' formula (in my book this can
be a pretty wide diagnosis). (The key for Medicaid is that a doctor has
been willing to back up this diagnosis with a prescription).
I am currently seeking reimbursement for a Mom whose sleepy baby (I'm sure
that could be phrased medically!) lost over 10% of birthweight (1 lb down
by day 9) and has not yet started to gain. She needed pump to increase milk
supply and to be able to supplement feedings at breast with EBM so baby got
more milk per feed. Medicaid has previously covered the SNS for me so I'm
hoping they will in this case too. I assume babies with any physical
feeding problem like cleft, or anything else that leads them to need
supplements, will qualify too because the supplements should be of EBM over
formula. I admit, Medicaid in my state is more generous than most insurance
plans.
I am about to apply for a very long rental (5 months) to a Medicaid Mom
returning to work whose baby will not tolerate formula. Mom backs this up
by explaining the baby swallowed muconium at birth and had a 'very bad
digestive system so HAS to have breast milk'. PS The baby was 9.5 lb at
birth and Mom has exclusively breastfed for a month. She has sorted out
great health coverage for herself and her child, and was about to pump at
work with a hand pump until she found me. Mom is 17.
Anne Merewood