Breastfeeding Accomodations Under The Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act expands prevention coverage for women's health and well-being. The Affordable Care Act is the health insurance reform legislation passed by congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. This act helps make prevention affordable and accessible for all Americans by requiring health plans to cover preventive services and by eliminating cost sharing. This includes breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling by a trained provider, during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, including costs for renting breastfeeding equipment. Infant formula became very popular in the twentieth century, making moms realize that they had a choice to bottle feed or breastfeed.However, many studies now show breastfeeding is best and more nutritious for your baby. Breastfeeding not only has health benefits for your baby, it also has health benefits for mom too. Furthermore, studies have found that women in the United States who return to work sooner, stop breastfeeding. Therefore, there is a need for new moms to be allowed to pump at work, so they can feel more comfortable and continue to breastfeed longer. The Affordable Care Act requires employers to allow women to take a break to pump and furnish her with a comfortable place and room to do so.They need to allow a woman to do this for the child's first year. However, I want to make sure a breastfeeding mom understands that there are provisions for you to pump at work but, you cannot bring your baby and breastfeed in the workplace. An interesting fact that I found while reviewing this subject is that women are less likely to miss work if they breastfeed because they are healthier. Also, their babies get sick less often because they are breastfed, therefore, moms miss less work. Many of my new moms, my patients are so excited because as of January 1, 2013, many are now able to rent or buy pumps and get reimbursed. Some of my patients even are allowed to have Lactation Consultation visits paid for. So, be sure to ask your insurance how this works under your plan and what they will pay for. In fact, the provisions of the Affordable Care Act has demanded insurance companies to cover breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies and lactation support. However, like I said, check with your insurance company to see what they will cover for you. Remember, every plan is different.Just because your friend got reimbursed a certain amount of money for her pump, doesn't mean you will. Also, your individual and family deductibles for the year comes into play. So, don't be shy. Call your insurance plan today. In conclusion, the Affordable Care Act is a great idea and is a good step forward in helping women achieve their breastfeeding goals. With the Affordable Care Act now in place, employment now can be made compatible with breastfeeding. Although more can still be done to make women feel more comfortable pumping at work, we have come a long way. I hope this opens everyone's eyes to the needs of new moms and more is done to help moms feel good about breastfeeding their child.I have only touched the surface of this subject so, all of you need to call your insurance companies for more information and know how it can work for you. Good luck.