Breast Pumps Through Insurance

The out of pocket cost of a breast pump can vary based on what type of pump you choose to purchase. For instance, a manual breast pump can be as little as 15 dollars, whereas the cost of an single electric breast pump or double electric breast pump is usually between 150 and 500 dollars. 

Many parents are unaware that the cost of a breast pump may be covered through insurance under the Affordable Care Act. To find out more about your specific coverage, fill out our insurance eligibility form with your basic health insurance information. 

There are four main types of breast pumps:

• Manual pumps
• Battery-operated pumps (sometimes hands-free breast pumps)
• Electric pumps
• Hospital-grade pumps.

Manual, or hand pumps, are operated by hand-squeezing a pump and do not require batteries or electricity. Rechargeable Battery-powered pumps have a small motor that operates the pump. They are typically smaller, lightweight, and more portable for pumping on-the-go. 

Aeroflow Breastpumps carries only the industry’s best and most popular breast pumps. These top-selling breast pump brands include:

• Motif
• Medela
• Spectra
• Elvie
• Willow
• Lansinoh
• Ameda
• Evenflo
• Zomee
• Freemie. 

Hospital-grade breast pumps are used by mothers of NICU babies or when medical issues may hinder mom & baby’s ability to successfully breastfeed. Breast pumps that are hospital-grade are specifically designed for multiple users, with a special closed system that makes the pump safe for moms to share. Aeroflow Breastpumps currently offers the Medela Symphony – this hospital-grade pump is only available for rent when covered by insurance, and requires a prescription. 

Breast pump suction or power (documented as mmHG) refers to the speed at which the vacuum is applied to the nipple for breastfeeding. Breast pumps come with different strength levels and generally the speed at which you pump can be adjusted to accommodate your personal pumping needs. 

Most breast pumps offer various settings to adjust how fast your milk is expressed. A typical pumping session takes around 15-20 minutes, but some mothers may spend closer to 30 minutes to fully express their breast milk. Your breast milk supply during each pumping sessions varies based on your baby's age, time of day, how often you pump or feed, the quality of your pump, diet, and more.

Using the correct flange size (also known as a breast shields) is incredibly important for adequate suction, optimal milk production, and comfort when pumping. There are five main breast pump flange sizes – 21, 24, 27, 30 and 36mm. The most effective flange should be within 2-3mm of your nipple size. The size(s) included with each pump will vary but should be listed in what is included and in the pump’s manual.

Just like with breastfeeding, using a breast pump should not be painful or uncomfortable. The sensation of pumping should be similar to comfortable breastfeeding: some pressure and gentle tugging. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, it could indicate that something needs to be adjusted or resized. If pain persists, never hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant.