GOT LACTATION CARE QUESTIONS?
See answers to our most frequently asked questions below.
Lactation Services FAQs
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The Lactation Network (TLN) partners with the largest network of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in all 50 states and Washington D.C. TLN IBCLCs offer expert, clinical care via in-home, in-office, and telehealth lactation consultations.
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You can find out if your insurance covers lactation consultations through TLN by entering your information here: https://lactationnetwork.com/request-a-consultant/
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This depends on your specific insurance plan. For many insurance providers, TLN covers you at 100% for your initial visit as well as needed follow ups to be determined by your lactation consultant. But we will notify you of any restrictions up front.
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Each visit is unique and is based around the parent and child’s needs. Most often, a lactation consultation with an IBCLC will last 90 minutes. Learn more about how to prepare for your lactation consultation here.
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Each lactating parent’s experience is unique, but it is common for parents to need 3-6 visits within the first year of life. Your IBCLC will be able to recommend the best course of action for you after the initial visit is complete.
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It depends on your family’s insurance coverage, but most plans will cover a prenatal consultation.
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An Explanation of Benefits, or EOB, is NOT a bill. The purpose of an EOB is simply to provide you information on claims that are billed to your insurance provider. An EOB is also not a final solution with your insurance plan. We will not bill you out-of-pocket because we believe the Affordable Care Act (ACA) clearly dictates breastfeeding support and supplies cannot be subject to copays and/or deductibles.
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The Lactation Network exclusively partners with International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), who hold the highest level of certification possible within the lactation care industry.
An IBCLC must log hundreds of clinical hours, pass a rigorous examination administered through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE), and complete dozens of hours of continuous education annually to retain their certifications. -
The Lactation Network will continue advocating on behalf of our patients and IBCLC partners for insurers to recognize The Lactation Network as in-network under the Affordable Care Act if no network is available for members. We are also diligently working on partnership arrangements with insurance plans to become part of their networks. Above all else, we believe that lactation care is a right, not a privilege.
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Telehealth appointments are video calls (not just a phone call) with an IBCLC. They will be able to see and assist in providing expert advice for your breastfeeding journey as they would during an in-home or at-office visit.
UnitedHealthcare FAQs
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Once you complete our registration form through The Lactation Network website, you will receive written confirmation from our eligibility team. After reviewing your submitted insurance information, the team will confirm whether your insurance coverage will cover your lactation consultation(s).
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Prior authorization (also called pre–certification) is a requirement by some health plans for patients to obtain approval for health care services through The Lactation Network.
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A referral is an electronic or written order from your primary care physician (PCP) for you to see a specialist for services. Not all plans require a referral before care is offered — check with your individual health plan to confirm whether you need a referral.
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If your insurance company requires a referral, you will need to reach out to your primary care physician (PCP) and request a referral for a lactation consultation through The Lactation Network. You will need to work directly with UnitedHealthcare to submit your referral through the UnitedHealthcare portal — The Lactation Network does not accept general referral paperwork. We’re happy to help you if you require support for the referral process — just email us at intake@tln.care.
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The Lactation Network only accepts UHC patients for in-person (home or office) consultations. TLN is continuing conversations with UHC to address this and hopes to cover telehealth consultations in the future.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Request an insurance-covered prenatal or postpartum lactation consultation with a certified lactation expert.