Bringing a new baby home is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life, but it can also be one of the most expensive. Between cribs, diapers, car seats and unexpected urgent care visits, costs can add up very quickly. For parents who plan to breastfeed, high-quality breast pumps are essential. These devices make it possible to pump milk so your baby can eat while you’re sleeping, working or away from home, without relying on last-minute solutions that could drive up healthcare expenses.
Because breast pumps can be costly, many new parents worry about insurance costs and coverage. A common question families ask is: “How many breast pumps does insurance cover without paying extra?”
Overview
“You are typically entitled to one breast pump per pregnancy,” explains Healthcare Policy Analyst Anne Kamwila. “This coverage is mandated by the Affordable Care Act, which classifies breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling as preventive services that must be covered without a copayment or coinsurance.”
While the standard rule is one pump per pregnancy, the type you get can vary significantly depending on your specific insurance plan. Some plans will cover a manual pump, while others will cover a standard electric pump. Furthermore, if you get pregnant again a few years later, you are generally eligible to receive a brand-new pump for that pregnancy as well.
Average cost of breast pumps
When looking at the price of breastfeeding equipment, it is helpful to break it down by who is paying, as the price difference is significant.
With insurance
For the vast majority of parents with compliant health insurance plans, the cost is zero dollars. As HealthCare.gov explains, most plans must cover the cost of a breast pump as a preventive benefit. This means you do not have to pay a deductible or a copay. However, this usually applies to a specific list of “standard” pumps chosen by the insurance company.
If you want a fancy pump with extra features, like a battery pack or a specialized tote bag, you might have to pay an upgrade fee. This is the difference between what the insurance pays and the retail price of the deluxe model.
Without insurance
If you do not have insurance or choose to buy a pump not covered by your plan, the costs can be quite high. A simple manual hand pump might cost between $20 and $50. However, a high-quality double electric pump, which most working mothers need, typically costs between $100 and $300. There are also high-end “wearable” pumps that fit inside a bra, which can cost upwards of $500, as reported by the New York Times.
Additionally, hospital-grade pumps, which are heavy-duty machines used to treat mothers with supply issues, can cost over $1,000. However, they are usually rented by the month at a lower rate.
Factors that affect the cost of breast pumps
Several factors can affect how much a breast pump costs or how much your insurance will cover. The first is the type of pump mechanism. Manual pumps are the cheapest because they have no motor and require you to squeeze a handle. Standard electric pumps are in the middle range and are the most common type covered by insurance. Hospital-grade pumps are the most expensive because they have powerful motors designed for multiple users.
Another major factor is the brand. Just as with clothing or cars, certain brand names command higher prices. Your insurance company usually has contracts with specific durable medical equipment suppliers, often called DMEs. As Liberty Home Care and Hospice explains, these suppliers negotiate lower rates for specific brands. If you insist on a brand that is not on your supplier’s list, you may have to pay the full price yourself.
Accessories also play a big role in cost. A “pump only” box is cheaper than an “all-in-one” backpack that comes with coolers, ice packs and extra bottles. Insurance typically pays for the pump itself, not the convenient accessories.
Insurance coverage details
It is important to understand exactly what the law requires. As noted by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), the Affordable Care Act requires most health insurance plans to provide breastfeeding support, counseling and equipment for the duration of breastfeeding.
However, the law allows insurance companies to use reasonable medical management techniques to control costs. This means the insurance company decides whether to pay for a rental unit or for a new one you keep. It also means they can decide whether to cover a manual or electric pump.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, plans are not required to cover every single pump on the market. They are only required to cover a pump that does the job. Most private plans today cover a double electric personal-use pump. Medicaid plans vary by state; some cover manual pumps, while others cover electric ones.
Additionally, some “grandfathered” health plans that existed before the Affordable Care Act are not required to follow these rules. If you have one of these older plans, you might not have coverage at all, though this is becoming very rare, as a publication in PubMed Central explains.
How to save money on breast pumps
If you want to keep your costs as low as possible, you should follow a specific process. The most important step is to avoid buying a pump at a retail store like Target or Walmart, expecting reimbursement later. Many insurance companies will not reimburse you if you buy a pump off the shelf. Instead, they require you to order the pump through a contracted Durable Medical Equipment supplier. These are companies that specialize in medical gear.
You can save money by contacting your insurance company early to ask for a list of its approved suppliers. Once you have the list, browse their websites to see which pumps are labeled “100% covered” or “fully covered.” If you want a specific upgrade that costs extra, you can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover the upgrade fee. This allows you to use pre-tax money, which saves you a percentage equal to your tax bracket.
Furthermore, consider asking friends or family for hand-me-down accessories like tote bags or coolers, so you only need the insurance to cover the actual machine.
Do I need to tell my insurance company I’m pregnant?
You should generally notify your insurance company that you are pregnant, although it is not always strictly required to get a pump. Calling them serves two important purposes. First, it allows you to confirm your maternity benefits. You can ask specifically about prenatal care costs, hospital stay deductibles and breast pump coverage all in one conversation. Second, some insurance plans have special maternity programs.
If you enroll in these programs, you might get access to a nurse case manager or extra educational materials. When you call, ask specifically about the rules for ordering a breast pump. Ask them which DME suppliers they work with and if you need a prescription from your doctor. Having this information early prevents panic and confusion as you approach your due date.
How early should you order breast pumps through insurance?
Timing is everything when ordering your equipment. Different insurance companies have different rules about when they will ship the pump to you. As the Office on Women’s Health explains, some plans allow you to order the pump at any time during your pregnancy. Other plans may require you to be within 30 days of your due date before approving the order.
There are even some stricter plans that will not ship the pump until after the baby is actually born. It is best to research this around your second trimester. If you try to order too early, the supplier might put your order on hold. If you wait until the last minute, the baby might arrive before the pump does.
A good rule of thumb is to start the process around weeks 28 or 30 of your pregnancy. This gives you plenty of time to get a prescription from your doctor, if needed, and to handle any paperwork delays.
What baby items will insurance cover?
While the breast pump is the big-ticket item, your insurance might cover other things that help you feed your baby. Lactation consulting is a major benefit. The Affordable Care Act mandates coverage for breastfeeding counseling. This means you can see a trained expert to help you learn how to latch the baby or increase your milk supply, often with no copay.
Some insurance plans also cover replacement parts for the pump. Tubing, valves and membranes can wear out over time, and some plans allow you to order fresh sets every few months. Some plans will cover milk storage bags used to freeze milk. This is less common than pump coverage, but it is worth asking about.
In certain high-risk pregnancies, insurance might cover a pregnancy support band or compression socks if a doctor deems them medically necessary. However, items such as nursing bras, creams, and special pillows are rarely covered.
Did you know that breastfeeding supplies are tax-deductible? Even if your insurance does not cover extra milk storage bags, nursing pads, or creams the IRS considers these qualified medical expenses. You can use your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account debit card to buy them tax-free at standard drugstores.
Bottom line
Most health insurance plans are required by law to cover the cost of one breast pump per pregnancy. To get this benefit, you usually have to order through a specific medical supplier rather than buying it at a store. While the pump itself is generally free, you might have to pay extra for fancy upgrades or accessories, so checking with your provider early is the best way to know exactly what you are entitled to receive.
“It’s easier to make the decision to get help when you have that list of where to turn to for help ready before a baby arrives,” says Katherine Pasque, M.D., another Michigan Medicine physician who specializes in caring for moms after they have given birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often will insurance pay for breast pump parts?
Many insurance plans allow you to order replacement parts, such as valves and tubing, every 90 days, but you must check your specific policy benefits to be sure.
Can I get a second breast pump through insurance?
Generally, insurance covers only one pump per pregnancy. You can get a new one for a subsequent pregnancy, but rarely two for the same child unless there is a specific medical necessity.
What is the 3-3-3 rule in breastfeeding?
This is a growth spurt guideline suggesting babies often want to nurse more frequently around three days old, three weeks old and three months old to increase supply.
Citations
Healthcare.gov. Breastfeeding benefits. HealthCare.gov. https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/breast-feeding-benefits/
Hawkins SS, Dow-Fleisner S, Noble A. Breastfeeding and the Affordable Care Act. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2015;62(5):1071-1091. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2015.05.002
Dunn T. The Best Space Heaters. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-space-heaters/. Published February 22, 2021.
Liberty Home. What Is Durable Medical Equipment? | Liberty Home Care and Hospice. Liberty Home Care and Hospice | Home Care and Hospice. Published August 11, 2021. https://libertyhomecareandhospice.com/what-is-durable-medical-equipment/
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. Understanding Health Care Coverage for Breastfeeding. www.acog.org. https://www.acog.org/programs/breastfeeding/understanding-health-care-coverage-for-breastfeeding
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Affordable Care Act Implementation FAQs – Set 12 | CMS. www.cms.gov. Published 2024. https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Fact-Sheets-and-FAQs/aca_implementation_faqs12
Cantor JC, Monheit AC, DeLia D, Lloyd K. Early Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Health Insurance Coverage of Young Adults. Health Services Research. 2012;47(5):1773-1790. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6773.2012.01458.x
Office of Women’s Health. Breastfeeding. womenshealth.gov. Published January 23, 2017. https://womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding
Michigan Medicine. What Pregnant Moms Need to Know About the “Fourth Trimester.” Michiganmedicine.org. Published December 10, 2018. Accessed February 4, 2026. https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/what-pregnant-moms-need-know-about-fourth-trimester