Breast Pumps and Supplies

TRICARE covers breast pumps and breast pump supplies at no cost for new mothers, including mothers who adopt an infant and plan to breastfeed. >>Read Questions and Answers

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

See Also: Breastfeeding Counseling