New Survey Shows Only Eighteen Percent of Moms Know the Affordable Care Act’s Breastfeeding Benefits

August 1, 2018

World Breastfeeding Week is Celebrated Every Year From August 1st to August 7

Shari Criso, R.N., Certified Nurse Midwife, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Nationally Recognized Parenting Educator

(White Plains, NY, Wednesday, August 1, 2018) – There are about 3.6 million births per year in the United States and approximately 83% of those moms will try breastfeeding.

According to a new survey, only 18 percent of expectant moms know all three of the main Affordable Care Act benefits designed to support their breastfeeding journey. Specifically:

  • 64 percent did not know insurance plans are required to cover lactation consultant sessions at no cost
  • 61 percent did not know employers are required to provide breastfeeding mothers breaks to express or pump milk
  • 42 percent did not know insurance plans are required to cover breast pumps at no cost

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1st to August 7th all over the globe to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

Breast pumps can cost more than $300 and ordering a breast pump through insurance saves time and money.

Employers are required by law to provide a clean, private place for mothers to pump breast milk. Some employers are unclear as to whether their insurance plans include the breast pump benefit and, if they do, if it covers the same kind of pump you can buy in the store.

Choosing a breast pump is highly personal and based on a number of factors including body type, affordability and subjective opinions. If you need additional information to make a decision, speak to a nurse or lactation consultant concerning which model might be best suited for you.

Byram Healthcare is a leading provider of high-quality, no-cost breast pumps through insurance. It also advocates for new and expectant parents, educating them on their rights and benefits.

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