Breast Pumps and Supplies

TRICARE covers breast pumps, breast pump supplies, and breastfeeding counseling at no cost for new mothers, including mothers who adopt an infant and plan to breastfeed.

Please review the following questions and answers for more information.

Who can get a manual or standard electric breast pump, supplies, and breastfeeding counseling services?

All TRICARE-eligible female beneficiaries with a birth event. A birth event includes a pregnant beneficiary or a female beneficiary who legally adopts an infant and intends to personally breastfeed. You can get these items before or after delivery.

It doesn’t matter what TRICARE plan you use (TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, the US Family Health Plan, TRICARE Reserve Select, etc.) or your sponsor’s status (active duty, retired, Guard/Reserve).

Where can I get a breast pump?

You can get a breast pump from any:

  • Network or durable medical equipment provider (contact your regional contractor)
  • Commissary (run by the Defense Commissary Agency)
  • Post Exchange (PX), Base Exchange (BX), or Station Exchange run by:
    • The Army/Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES);
    • The Department of the Navy;
    • The United States Marine Corps; or
    • The United States Coast Guard
  • Civilian stateside and overseas retail stores 
  • Online store (standard shipping and handling is covered)

Is there a list of approved providers I can buy a breast pump from?

No, there isn’t a specific list. TRICARE pays up to a set amount for a breast pump and initial breast pump kit. Rates may change annually (As of March 2019, the rates are $312.84 stateside or $500.55 overseas). You can find the rates at health.mil.

Contact your regional contractor for information.

How do I get a breast pump?

Step 1: Get a prescription

  • Your prescription must be from a TRICARE-authorized doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife.
  • Your prescription must show if you’re getting a basic manual or standard electric pump. To get a hospital-grade pump, you need to work with your provider and your regional contractor to get a referral and authorization.
  • Your prescription doesn’t have to specify a brand.
  • If you’re going to get your breast pump from a network provider or durable medical equipment supplier, ask your provider to include a diagnosis code on your prescription.
  • We suggest you make a copy of your prescription for your records.

Step 2: Get a pump

  • If you don’t want to pay up front, contact your regional contractor to find a network provider or supplier. You need to show your prescription.
  • If you are working with a military clinic or hospital to get a breast pump, follow their processes and procedures. 
  • If you don’t mind paying up front, go to 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. DS, supplier, or vendor (includes retail and online stores). Make sure to save and copy your receipt. You won’t need to show your prescription.

Step 3: File a claim

I bought a breast pump. How do I get reimbursed?

Step 1: Find your receipt

  • You must have been eligible for TRICARE on the date you bought it.
  • If you can’t find your receipt or you weren’t eligible when you bought it, you can’t get reimbursed.

Step 2: Get a prescription

  • You must get your prescription from a TRICARE-authorized doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife.
  • The date on the prescription can be after the date on your receipt.
  • Your prescription must show the type of pump you bought (manual or standard electric pump).
  • Your prescription doesn’t have to specify a brand.
  • We suggest you make a copy of your prescription for your records.

Step 3: File a claim

I’m no longer TRICARE eligible, but bought a breast pump when I was eligible. Can I still file a claim?

Yes.

Is there a list of approved breast pumps? 

No, coverage isn’t limited to a specific manufacturer, brand, or model number. Contact your regional contractor for more information.

What breast pump supplies are covered?

TRICARE covers:

  • One breast pump kit per birth event. The kit may not be separately billed for and reimbursed.
  • Standard power adapters: 1 replacement per birth event, and not within 12 months of the breast pump purchase date.
  • Tubing and tubing adapters: 1 set per birth event.
  • Locking rings: 2 every 12 months
  • Bottles: 2 replacement bottles and caps/locking rings every 12 months following the birth event
  • Bottle caps: 2 every 12 months after the birth event
  • Storage bags: 90 bags every 30 days following the birth event
  • Valves/membranes: 12 for each 12 months following the birth event
  • Supplemental Nursing System (SNS): 1 per birth event when a physician prescribes
  • Nipple shields/splash protectors: 2 sets (2 shields/set) per birth event when a physician prescribes

You can receive supplies in excess of the limits above when your provider prescribes them and when medically necessaryTo be medically necessary means it is appropriate, reasonable, and adequate for your condition.. You need to get new prescriptions when you need replacement supplies that exceed the above limits. Your provider needs to be specific about what supplies you need. 

TRICARE doesn’t cover (unless part of a breast pump kit):

  • 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

Where can I get breast pump supplies?

You can get breast pump supplies from any:

  • Network or durable medical equipment provider (contact your regional contractor)
  • Commissary (run by the Defense Commissary Agency)
  • Post Exchange (PX), Base Exchange (BX), or Station Exchange run by the:
    • The Army/Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES);
    • The Department of the Navy;
    • The United States Marine Corps; or
    • The United States Coast Guard
  • Civilian stateside and overseas retail stores
  • Online store (Standard shipping and handling is covered.)

When can I get breast pump supplies?

As a mother-to-be, you can get breast pump supplies before delivery, starting at 27 weeks, or up to 3 years after the birth event. The 3-year period starts on the child’s birth date or the date of the legal adoption. A birth event includes a pregnant beneficiary or a female beneficiary who legally adopts an infant and intends to personally breastfeed.

How do I get breast pump supplies?

Step 1: Get supplies

  • If you don’t want to pay up front, contact your regional contractor to find a network provider or durable medical equipment supplier.
  • If you want to get your supplies from a military clinic or hospital, follow their processes and procedures.
  • If you don’t mind paying up front, go to a TRICARE-authorized provider, supplier, or vendor (includes retail and online stores). Make sure to save and copy your receipt.

Step 2: File a claim

  • If you use a network provider or supplier, you don’t have to file a claim.
  • If you bought the supplies yourself, file a claim:

Does TRICARE cover breastfeeding (lactation) counseling?

Yes. TRICARE covers up to 6 individual outpatient breastfeeding counseling sessions per birth event when:

  • Your provider bills using one of the preventive counseling procedure codes;
  • Breastfeeding counseling is the only service you get during the session; and
  • You see a TRICARE-authorized provider

These sessions are in addition to the counseling you may have gotten during your inpatient stay, outpatient OB visit, or well-child care visit.

How do I get reimbursed for breastfeeding counseling?

If you saw a:

  • Network provider, ask the provider to file a claim for you using one of the preventive counseling procedure codes.
  • Non-network provider, fill out a DD Form 2642, attach an itemized statement that includes one of the preventive counseling procedure codes, and mail it to your TRICARE claims processor.

Does TRICARE cover breastfeeding counseling from an Independent Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)?

No, unless they’re also a TRICARE-authorized doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or registered nurse.

Can I get reimbursed for a rented hospital-grade breast pump I returned?

Yes, as long as it was medically necessary.

To file a claim:

  • Fill out a DD Form 2642
  • Attach copies of your prescription, itemized billing statement, and documentation of medical necessity from your provider
  • Mail it to your TRICARE claims processor

My breast pump broke. Will TRICARE pay for a new one?

Yes, under certain conditions. Contact your regional contractor for help.

Does TRICARE cover an electrical converter to use my breast pump overseas?

Yes.

Is there a limit on how much TRICARE will pay for a breast pump?

Yes. For breast pump limits, see the table at health.mil.

Note: Overseas limits are different due to changes in currency rates, availability, and shipping costs.

TRICARE already paid for one breast pump for my baby. I’m pregnant again; can I get a new breast pump?

Yes, TRICARE covers one breast pump per birth event. A birth event includes a pregnant beneficiary or a female beneficiary who legally adopts an infant and intends to personally breastfeed.

Does TRICARE cover breast pump extended warranties?

No, TRICARE doesn’t cover extended warranties.

Disclaimer:

This list of covered services is not all inclusive. TRICARE covers services that are medically necessary and considered proven. There are special rules or limits on certain services, and some services are excluded.

Last Updated 6/18/2020