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Insurer Reduces Breast Pump Reimbursements, Could Mean Fewer Mothers Will Breastfeed

"Starting last month, Anthem Inc. slashed the rate it reimburses medical suppliers for breast pumps by 44 percent -- from $169.15 to $95. The move means some breast pumps that used to be free under a provision of the [ACA] will now entail a cost to consumers ... More complex pumps, which have always required an out-of-pocket payment, will now be more expensive. It's unclear how many women will be affected."  MORE >>

Text of IRS Announcement 2011-14: Breast Pumps and Lactation Supplies Are Medical Expenses (PDF)

[B]reast pumps and supplies that assist lactation are medical care under [Code section] 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code because, like obstetric care, they are for the purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body of the lactating woman. Therefore, if the remaining requirements of section 213(a) are met (for example, the taxpayer's total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income), expenses paid for breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation are deductible medical expenses. Amounts reimbursed for these expenses under flexible spending arrangements, Archer medical savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, or health savings accounts are not income to the taxpayer.

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Critics Say Some Insurers Unfairly Limit Best Breast Pumps

"Dr. Kimberly Luft, a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente, says the insurer would cover an electric pump if it were deemed a medical necessity. But manual pumps meet the basic needs of most moms, Luft says. She suggests women work with their employers to find enough time to use the devices."  MORE >>

Working Moms Battle for Breast-Pump Breaks (PDF)

Excerpt: The Reform Act adds a new provision to the Fair Labor Standards Act (the 'FLSA') that addresses the needs of working women who breast-feed their infant children. Effective immediately, employers covered by the FLSA must provide 'reasonable' breaks (in terms of both time and number of breaks) to mothers to express milk for their infants who are up to one year old.

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Addressing Moms' Needs at Work: Breast-Feeding Issues Get More Employer Attention

Excerpt: [S]ince the 1990s, several large companies have developed formal, on-site lactation programs that offer services to facilitate breast-feeding needs, including specified space for pumping breast milk, small refrigerators for milk storage and guidance from experts.

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Breast-Feeding at Work Now Protected by Law

"The Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law in March 2010, amended the Fair Labor Standards Act, and for the first time employers are now federally mandated to provide women with breaks and a place to breastfeed. The final rules regarding the law have not been finalized, but that hasn't stopped the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour division's enforcers from going after employers who don't make accommodations for working moms who want to pump."  MORE >>

Oregon Breast-Feeding Bill About to Pass Legislature

Excerpt: Gov. Ted Kulongoski has promised to sign the bill, which passed the Oregon Senate today 28-1 and requires employers with 25 or more workers to provide unpaid rest breaks so new moms can pump breastmilk.  MORE >>

What Group Health Plans Should Know About Additional Breast Cancer Screening Coverage in 2026

"On December 20, 2024, HRSA approved updates to the current Women's Preventive Services Guidelines for breast cancer screening for women at average risk and also approved a new guideline regarding patient navigation services for breast and cervical cancer screening. Employers should prepare now for expanded breast cancer screening and navigation coverage requirements applicable to group health plans in 2026, as the new requirements impact plan participants, administration and costs."  MORE >>

Employers Ignoring Workers' Pain at the Pump, According to Survey

Excerpt: Employers are doing little, if anything, to help employees cope with the budget-busting fill-ups at the pump. Eighty percent of the employees surveyed say they get no financial or other benefits from their employers to ease the burden of high fuel prices.

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Employers Pump Up Mileage Reimbursement, but Offer Little Relief for Costly Commutes

Excerpt: Americans are likely to get only modest help from employers in easing pain at the pump. Two recent surveys show the primary way companies are responding has nothing to do with getting to work.  MORE >>