Health ins. Covering Breastmilk

[SMB]

I just watched a story about a woman who breastfed her baby exclusively for the first month or so but then had to go back on her arthritis meds which completely ruled out her continuing. They tried every kind of formula and goats milk and the baby wouldn't keep any of it down. Her doctor prescribed breastmilk from a milk bank somewhere in Denver. One four ounce bottle costs $2.75. Her health insurance will not cover the expense because breastmilk falls under supplemental nutrition. Do you think health ins. should cover the expense of the breastmilk?

[Amy2]

Absolutely. This mother/baby has no choice. If the baby were ill, presumably the insurance would pay for the medicine. Without the breastmilk, the baby won't survive. It's not like she has the option to pump. Amy

[KarlaB]

ITA with Amy. They should cover it. And, it's not like the mom quit bf because she wanted to or like they hadn't tried anything else before going to the milk bank.

[MK]

Definately. "Supplemental", my foot! They advertise all over the media that "Breast is best". Formula is a simulated version of the real thing, and isn't always the right thing. Sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do. And especially after all the studies on preventative health benefits, you would think the ins. co. would be all for it. Absolutely ludicrous! I wonder if she could get help from the state, like WIC or medicaid just for the cost of the breastmilk?

[Lynda/WA]

No and Yes depending on more information. Each family should pay for their own food. That includes formula/ breastmilk. Just because a mother breatfed and now can't because of a medical condition the insurace shouldn't have to pay for the *food* of her choice. If the child could take formula then the family should have to pay for the formula just like all other families. If they still wanted to use breastmilk it should have been out of their own pockets.
But it sounds like the child also has medical problems if it can't hold down any other type of formula/ milk. In that case, if the insurance does cover special formulas then it should also cover breasmilk.

[Mickey]

I was originally thinking they should cover it since it was a life saving thing for the baby, but you brought up a very good point, Lynda. It is food. But I agree that if the insurance company covers special formulas, they should cover the breastmilk, too.