Do you accept health insurance?

YES! Health insurance plans vary greatly, so do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns about your insurance coverage.

If you have Blue Cross PPO, Blue Shield PPO, Anthem PPO, Humana PPO, Highmark PPO, United Healthcare Commercial plans (including the NYSHIP Empire Plan) or Cigna PPO, then you can have 6 appointments fully covered, with no out-of-pocket costs, through The Lactation Network. Click this link to be taken to The Lactation Network’s page and register to have your consult(s) fully covered. (Note to Cigna patients: As of January 2024, about 30% of Cigna plans no longer cover in-person lactation care. If you have Cigna, please register with The Lactation Network, and if they decline, we can discuss next steps.)

Also, if your insurance card has the PNOA Plan or MultiPlan symbols, you are also fully covered for 6 appointments through The Lactation Network. Check your insurance card for the PNOA and MultiPlan symbols and then click this link to be taken to The Lactation Network’s page and register to have your consult(s) fully covered.

I am proud to have partnered with Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN) through Optum Care, to offer our veteran parents SIX fully covered appointments, with NO out-of-pocket costs or copays. Please register for your consultation(s) through The Lactation Network.

I am a preferred, in-network provider with Aetna. If you use these payers, I will submit a claim for you with no out-of-pocket costs. You will not incur any fees for copays.

If you have CDPHP, you can easily reimburse any lactation care you receive using this simple form .

If you have MVP, you must schedule a virtual appointment with their Corporate Lactation consultants before you can request coverage for in-person support. If you would like to request an in-person consultation with me and you have MVP, please call Chris Hutchins at Corporate Lactation at (888)-818-5653 ext 113.

UnitedHealthcare Commercial plans are now covered through The Lactation Network. This includes the NYSHIP Empire Plan, so please register with The Lactation Network. UHC plans do not cover telehealth/virtual visits. This means that Heirloom Lactation is in-network through TLN for Commercial members with UnitedHealthcare in 49 states (Hawaii pending) for in-person consultations!

If you have insurance coverage not listed here, I will gladly provide you with a superbill (itemized receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. By law, health insurance plans must provide coverage for lactation support, counseling, and equipment for the duration of breastfeeding. These services may be provided before and after birth. We strongly encourage you to call your insurance company prior to your appointment so they can inform you of your benefits.

I strongly believe that lactation care is a human right, not a privilege. I am committed to working with you through the process, from pre-approval to reimbursement, if needed.

Do you charge a travel fee?

For in-home appointments which are less than 30 minutes of travel time, I do not charge a travel fee. For appointments requiring over 30 minutes of travel time, I charge $30. You can check to see if your home is over 30 minutes away using GoogleMaps.

What do I need to do to prepare for my in-home consult?

If you are currently nursing your baby, please plan to feed them about an hour to an hour and half before your scheduled appointment. It will be important to be able to observe you feeding your baby, so we’d like them to be interested in eating.

If you are pumping, please have your pump and pump parts available. You may also want to have your partner or support person present. Whoever helps you care for your baby and supports your breastfeeding journey is invaluable!

Also, please fill out this intake form so we can focus our time on you and your baby and not paperwork!

P.S. Do NOT feel the need to shower, put on makeup, do your hair, clean, or tidy up. I do NOT care, I promise, and you’re raising a tiny human and probably don’t have time for any of that!

What do I need to do to prepare for my virtual consult?

If you are currently nursing your baby, please plan to feed them about an hour to an hour an a help before your scheduled appointment. It would be best if a support person was also available to hold your device or camera so that I can observe a feeding. Please have all your nursing supplies close by, such as pumps, nursing pillows, and anything else you use during a typical feeding session. You may also want to have some extra pillows nearby so we can try new positions, if needed.

Also, please fill out this intake form so we can focus our time on you and your baby and not paperwork!

What should I expect to happen during our consult?

• I will be wearing a mask and ask you for a place where I can wash my hands as soon as I walk in the door. I will also use hand sanitizer as needed. I will wear latex-free gloves if I need to touch your baby’s mouth. I will always ask permission before I touch you or your baby.

Before your baby eats:

• I will ask you and your baby to get comfortable in a place where you usually feed your baby. We will then discuss your pregnancy, birth and health history and you will explain your concerns. Remember, breastfeeding issues are usually complex but subtle, so I will ask you LOTS of questions! It’s okay if you can’t answer them all or aren’t sure.

• If there has been a concern about your baby’s weight gain, I may weigh your baby before and then again after they eat, in order to understand their intake.

• If you are concerned about tongue tie, lip tie, sucking, high palate, or other oral issues, I may do a manual exam of your baby’s mouth before they have eaten. (I will not do this unless I see a need to assess baby’s oral anatomy and function closely. IBCLCs can not diagnose tongue tie, but I can tell you if it’s worth seeing a specialist!).

• If you had a difficult birth, I may lay your baby on a safe, flat surface so I can assess how they are doing physically.

• I may look at your breasts/nipples immediately before and after your baby nurses. If you are experiencing nipple pain or damage, it can show us how and why.

• I will ask you how you are doing emotionally. Breastfeeding requires physical, mental and emotional work, and I need you to be honest about all these aspects of your health!

While your baby eats:

• I will watch your baby latch on and ask you how you to describe it feels.

• I may count to see how many sucks and swallows your baby is taking.

• I may lean in closely to listen to your baby feeding, so I can hear swallowing, loss of suction/latch, etc.

• We will chat about what a usual feeding looks like.

• Generally, I will not make many suggestions right away, since I want to see how feedings typically go for you.

• I may suggest alternate positions to try.

• I may suggests ways for you to hold/support your breast to help baby transfer milk more effectively.

• I may take a few notes, but I try to be very attentive to you, your baby and any questions you may have during a feeding.

• I may reposition pillows or the angle of your chair.

After your baby eats:

• We will talk about whatever issues we find and strategies for improving any issues you’ve been having.

• We will develop a plan for you to try for a few days and then make a follow-up phone or text appointment.

• If needed, within 24 hours I will email you a superbill (itemized receipt) to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. (You may want to call your insurance company beforehand to tell them about the consult and confirm that they will reimburse you)

• If you would like, I will fax your baby’s pediatrician and/or your OB/physician a detailed report about our consult.

What if I need a follow-up visit?

For up to three weeks after your appointment, I will follow up with you regularly (at least once per week) and expect that you will call/text/email with updates and questions. This service is included. Breastfeeding issues are often complex and solutions and strategies require tweaking and re-assessment. I will stick with you until you feel like you’re on the road to success as you define it!

If you require another face-to-face visit, all in-home follow-up visits at a discounted cost. We will discuss this on an as-needed basis.