TRICARE covers breast pumps and breast pump supplies at no cost for new mothers, including mothers who adopt an infant and plan to breastfeed.
Via Tricare.mil Website:
You must have a prescription from a TRICARE-authorized physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife. The prescription will state which type of breast pump you need:
- Hospital-grade breast pump
- Manual breast pump
- Standard electric breast pump
This coverage is retroactive to December 19, 2014. If you paid out-of-pocket, you can send a claim for reimbursement.
Include the following with your claim:
- Your prescription
- Itemized receipt
Breast Pumps
Manual and Standard Electric Breast Pumps
TRICARE covers one manual or standard electric breast pump per birth event (birth or adoption).
Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps
TRICARE covers electric hospital-grade breast pumps and supplies when needed for mothers and infants:
- Who are separated due to illness
- Who are unable to feed directly from the breast because of medical reasons
When a hospital-grade breast pump is no longer needed, you may be covered for a manual or standard electric breast pump. A new prescription is required.
Breast Pump Supplies
TRICARE covers the following supplies for up to 36 months after the birth event:
- Standard power adapters
- Tubing and tubing adaptors
- Locking rings
- Bottles and bottle caps
- Shield/splash protectors
- Storage bags
TRICARE also covers two breast pump kits per birth event.
How to Get Covered Breast Pumps and Supplies
You can get breast pumps and supplies from a TRICARE-Authorized ProviderAn authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state, accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network and Non-Network., supplier, or vendor. For manual or standard electric breast pumps, this includes any civilian retail store or pharmacy.
If you pay out-of-pocket, you can send a claim for reimbursement. Include the following with your claim:
- Your prescription
- Itemized receipt
Exclusions
TRICARE doesn't cover:
- Breast pump batteries, battery-powered adapters, and battery packs
- Regular “baby bottles” (Bottles not specific to pump operation), including associated nipples, caps, and lids
- Travel bags and other similar carrying accessories
- Breast pump cleaning supplies
- Baby weight scales
- Garments and other products that allow hands-free pump operation
- Ice packs, labels, labeling lids, and other similar products
- Nursing bras, bra pads, breast shells, and other similar products
- Over-the-counter creams, ointments, and other products that relieve breastfeeding related symptoms or conditions of the breasts or nipples
