How to Order a Breast Pump Through Centene Corporation
Centene was founded in 1984 as a nonprofit Medicaid plan and is now the largest Medicaid Managed Care Organization in the country. With over three decades of experience operating government-sponsored programs, their team of professionals remains dedicated to the health and unique needs of the communities it serves. They believe that every individual deserves access to high-quality healthcare with dignity. For new and expecting moms, this includes access to insurance covered breast pumps and other pregnancy-related necessities. To help support your breastfeeding journey and beyond, here’s a guide on how to order a breast pump through Centene Corporation.
About Centene Corporation
Centene is committed to helping people live healthier lives through accessing high-quality healthcare, innovative programs, and a wide range of health solutions that help families and individuals get well, stay well, and be well. Their goal is to transform the health of the community, one person at a time. Centene Corporation also offers international solutions to help address the needs of increasingly complex populations. To learn more, visit their website or reach out to a representative today.
Since 1984, Centene has worked tirelessly to fulfil needs in healthcare and help more individuals. To achieve this, they focus on each individual’s needs to promote everything from physical health to emotional wellness. This integrated care extends to new and expecting moms, to provide them with everything they need for a successful, supportive journey into parenthood. As a business with ethics and integrity at the forefront of their work, this includes adherence to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Understanding the Affordable Care Act
While choosing to breastfeed is a great decision that will provide numerous benefits, exclusively nursing can be difficult. New moms need some time to rest, and many women have successful careers that eventually require their return to the office. However, to continue to provide your newborn with the vitamins and minerals they need to develop, you’ll need access to an efficient breast pump. Unfortunately, many breast pumps are expensive and don’t always fit inside the budget of a new parent.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in March 2010 in an effort to make health care more available, expand the Medicaid program, and support innovative medical care methods. Thanks to this ACA expansion, it’s now a legal requirement that health insurance providers make breastfeeding support, counseling, and certain equipment accessible and available throughout the duration of breastfeeding. Since breast pumps fall under the category of covered benefits, they’re considered durable medical equipment (DME) and are available at zero out of pocket costs to new and expecting mothers. However, there are certain exceptions and various grandfathered plans that may limit access or make and model. Therefore, it’s important to discuss the details of your coverage and plan with your insurance provider to determine the type (manual or electric), availability, and whether or not you’re eligible for a new breast pump or a rental. Always contact your insurance provider for more information regarding your coverage options.
The Benefits of Breastfeeding
While it’s up to every mother to decide whether to breastfeed their baby or use formula, breast milk has undeniable advantages. Breast milk is a healthy, nutritious way to provide your newborn with the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for physical, mental, and emotional development. Breastfeeding provides new mothers with an amazing opportunity to bond with their newborn while keeping them safe. The immune boosting properties found in breast milk are scientifically proven to strengthen your baby’s resistance to infection and disease while decreasing the likelihood of your child developing various health conditions. Some of the most prominent include asthma, infections, respiratory diseases, and childhood obesity. Breastfeeding is also strongly linked with a decrease in risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
To get the most out of this experience, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of your baby’s life. This should begin shortly after delivery, when colostrum can have the biggest benefit on your newborn. Colostrum, commonly referred to as liquid gold, is high in protein, fat-soluble vitamins, immunoglobulins, and minerals that help jumpstart your baby’s immune system and physical development. It helps circulate antibodies between mom and baby, thus warding off infection while your newborn’s system becomes strong enough to handle germs on their own. Colostrum also has gastrointestinal and digestive benefits. After about six months, you can slowly begin to introduce solid foods. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk should be kept as the main source of nutrition until your baby is about 12 months old.
How Breast Pumping Can Supplement Nursing
Breast pumping is a great addition to your breastfeeding journey. It allows new and expecting mothers to supplement nursing sessions with bottle feedings, without sacrificing health and nutrition. While you’ll likely be nursing exclusively for a few weeks, breast pumping will allow your partner or another caregiver to step in and help when you need to rest, return to work, or simply get out of the house. Breast pumping has also been shown to help increase your milk supply so you can build a freezer stash and provide your baby with essential vitamins and nutrients regardless of whether you’re with them or not. This also gives you peace of mind that your baby will be taken care of in unexpected times away or when you need to regain some parental autonomy. This is why Centene Corporation provides insurance covered breast pumps at zero out of pocket cost to you.
Centene Corporation Breast Pump Coverage
Centene is the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the country and provides a unique program for new and expecting mothers. Their Start Smart for Your Baby® program is the cornerstone of Centene’s suite of innovative medical programs. This pregnancy management program incorporates care management, care coordination, and health education in an effort to improve maternal and infant health. Members who are enrolled in the Start Smart for Your Baby® program have access to educational materials and incentives for attending prenatal, postpartum, and well-child visits. They also have a breadth of community resources available, a personal nursing staff and 24/7 nurse advice line, special assistance for higher risk members, transportation assistance, and supplemental breastfeeding programs for services and support.
In addition to these unique benefits, Centene provides new and expecting mothers with an insurance covered breast pump to help facilitate their journey into parenthood and continue providing their baby with essential vitamins and minerals. As with all insurance providers, coverage varies based on your plan, so it’s important to discuss the details of your options with a Centene representative. If you have any risk factors during pregnancy, ask your representative about further coverage options that will help you identify these risks and manage them accordingly.
How to Order a Breast Pump Through Centene Insurance
Byram Healthcare is proud to partner with Centene Corporation to provide insurance covered breast pumps to new and expecting moms. To begin, simply follow the prompts on our easy, three-step ordering process. After filling out your insurance provider’s information and choosing your make and model, you’ll receive an order confirmation of your breast pump provided at no cost through Centene. If you have any questions during this process, or would like to speak to a Byram representative, reach out using the live chat option on our website.
Always double check coverage with your local Centene representative or call them with any insurance-related questions or concerns. If everything goes smoothly and you have all the required documentation, Byram Healthcare will make sure that your breast pump is shipped and delivered within 4-7 business days following insurance processing. If you need to obtain a prescription, Byram can help with that too. Just make sure that you include the name of your primary care physician or OB/GYN when prompted.
Byram Healthcare works hard to make the process of ordering an insurance covered breast pump as easy and straightforward as possible. Browse our selection of breast pumps and begin your order today.
