Why don't breast pumps qualify for FSAs?

[subrosa]

So I was filling out my annual enrollment for my flexible spending account at work, and I skimmed over the list of what is and is not reimbursable with pretax dollars for health expenses--and breast pumps are specifically not reimbursable. What gives? The list said somehting about them being for convenience--um, yeah, because moms who pump would much prefer to stick their boobs into a milking machine than just nurse their babies. I cannot imagine pumping just for "convenience." I can't believe it doesn't qualify as a health expense to try to give your child the best food possible whether or not you're always available to nurse him or her.

**OK, apparently they're reimbursable if the mothe ror the child has a specific medical issue that precludes nursing and they're prescribed by a physician. I still think it stinks.

[lysanderishisname]

I know in Norway they have a one year maternity leave for woman. As a result 99% of women breastfeed. Breastfeeding is promoted by the Government because they pay for the child's health care til the age of 5 or 7, I am not sure but it is for a long while. They know the how wonderful breastfeeding is for health. Because they probably see the dollar amount difference. If we ever go to a socialized medicine that is when we would probably see the change. When the government has to pay the tab for sick kids instead of parents. Then they will do whatever they can for BF moms.

[stockingup99]

Because if you pump, you probably won't need a flexible spending account. They are selling sickness, not health.

[AnalogWife]

Wow, I don't have a HFSA so I never thought of it, but it's probably been lobby'd out of eligiblity.

[MaryJaneLouise]

FSAs have to follow IRS rules. Breast pumps are generally seen as a "lifestyle" expense, mostly used by moms who WOH. Only if there is a specific medical condition (inability to nurse directly, prematurity, etc.) is it an allowable medical expense. :.

[beru]

I didn't realize how lucky I am. I submitted a receipt to my flex account through work for my Avent Isis and my work reimbursed me with no protest and no request for documentation.

[llamalluv]

Originally Posted by stockingup99

Because if you pump, you probably won't need a flexible spending account. They are selling sickness, not health.

Actually, the point of medical insurance is to transfer the financial risk of illness from yourself to the insurance company. An HSA, FSA, and MSA are all attempts by the insurance company to transfer some of that risk back to the patients - and it's in their best interests in either case to encourage you to do things to keep yourself and your families more healthy.

I'm really not sure why they would exclude pumps from reimbursement, since it's your money and doesn't cost them a thing. I would simply call your doctor and ask him to write a letter (or sign a form) stating that you need a pump to avoid illness, or that your baby needs pumped milk to avoid illness.

[Momma Aimee]

depends on the account, actually. Our does cover them, along with OTC medications and tolls ffor driving to doc appt and so on ....

One pump a year .....

However, I know one momma who had to get her Ped to write an Rx for her's to cover it -- sited the mom going to work and needing to feed the baby the optiminal food spurce MM .....

Like insurences coverage they all are differnt in what they cover and how you have to do it.

[Ellien C]

My FSA wouldn't cover my pump and my insurance company refused to cover it, even after the doctor wrote a letter. We weren't all that enthusiastic that it would work, but was worth a try.

Where are all these insurance companies that cover breast pumps (or BCP for that matter). On the "all or nothing" thread, someone suggested that there were a lot of insurance companies that would cover pumps.

Did yours? Which one was it?

[chandasz]

It's your workplace-- not the insurance company. They make the decisions as to what is covered.

This country SUCKS when it comes to supporting health.

Such a crock -- all this "family values" crap means nothing when we have no paid maternity leave or coverage for breast pumps.

I want to live in Sweden, France, Norway, Netherlands... etc. etc.

[Herausgeber]

My FSA paid for the rental of a hospital-grade pump after I went back to work. (A Pump in Style) wasn't sufficient to keep up my milk supply. They also covered 2 visits to a lactation consultant, when I was having trouble pumping enough. All told this was $650. They covered it without any issue.

I am told that if they do reject you initially, all you have to do is have your baby's doctor write a note saying the kiddo must have mommy milk, not formula. Say he or she is allergic if you have to. And file for reimbursement under the child's name, not for you.

Edited to add: Aetna manages my FSA.

[wasabi]

Originally Posted by subrosa

the mothe ror the child has a specific medical issue that precludes nursing and they're prescribed by a physician. I still think it stinks.

Get your doc/midwife to write you a prescription. I doubt seriously you have to prove a medical issue. My insurance covered them as long as I had a prescription. I asked my midwife to write me one. She did. Bam PIS for free. I had BCBS btw. Aetna covers them as well I believe. It's usually under a DME rider (that was durable medical equipment if I recall correctly).

[subrosa]

I'm not nursing or pumping, I just thought this showed an overall lack of respect for mothers (WOH or not) who need to pump some of the time. I was under the impression that the IRS set the guidelines re: what is an allowable expense, and it really burned me that a pump is a "lifestyle" expense akin to a nose job.