Breast Pump Ordering Process 

I’d heard from many people that under the Affordable Care Act, I would qualify for a free breast pump. I knew I had to have a prescription to get one and Dr. G wrote me one for an electric one at 30 weeks. I did not realize the complicated saga it would be to get my pump.

I did a lot of research and had heard good things about Medela brand. Additionally our pediatrician, Dr. V had recommended them. I did get my pump, the one above is the one I was sent which arrived at my doorstep in this box.

One first time mom friend told me she just called her insurance company and they sent her one, an easy process. Though she had a diffenet insurance company than I do, I hoped and expected it would be equally easy for me.

Unfortunately the process was more complicated for me. I was sent a list of over twenty providers to try. Our insurance company’s division serves another city and state as their main customers, i.e. Insurance Company X of Anytown, State. As a result many of the listed providers would not shop to my state. Of those that would, Half did not have Medela in stock and the other half wanted to ship out to me much later including when I was 36 or more weeks along.

So I called the insurance company back and asked again for suppliers this time for ones that would work with me being here in San Jose. I was promptly sent a list of medical supply companies within 50 miles of our address.

This list proved unhelpful, however. While each provider would send me medical devices, they only stocked the wrong kinds of supplies everything from the not even close CPAP masks to the somewhat similar mastectomy supplies.

I called the insurance company back and explained that I needed one both willing to send supplies to me and having the right ones.

The rep promised to call back with a solution. I was skeptical at this point, yet in a few hours she kept her promise. The rep had tracked down a New York based company willing to send me a Medela pump.

Less than a week later, I had my new breast pump. While I wish this model came with a travel pack, there is one available with extra pumping parts bottles and a refreezable ice pack for under $25.00. I’ve since learned I will most likely want to wait until I’ve breastfed for 6 weeks before using the pump, I’m glad I gave it here so I can read the instructions and be ready for when the time comes.

~ Danielle