Support for breastfeeding

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in August, with the goals of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding — and MESSA shares those goals.

Many MESSA members are working moms trying to balance job and new baby, and we want you to know that we’re here to support you with breast pump benefits and coverage for breastfeeding support and counseling.

MESSA covers one breast pump per birth with a prescription. If you have a MESSA ABC or Choices plan, you have two options for obtaining a pump:

• Retail or online store: You’ll pay upfront for the breast pump and submit your bill to MESSA for reimbursement, up to $300 for a breast pump and supplies. For reimbursement details, visit messa.org/BreastPump.

Durable medical equipment (DME) supplier: At a qualified DME supplier that participates with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, ask which breast pumps are covered 100% at no cost to you. The supplier will bill MESSA directly. For help finding a DME supplier, call MESSA’s Member Service Center at 800-336-0013.

If you have an Essentials by MESSA plan, you can obtain a breast pump at no cost from a BCBSM-qualified DME supplier. Ask the supplier which pump options are covered 100% by MESSA.

MESSA also covers lactation support and counseling.

For MESSA ABC and Choices members, two visits per year with a lactation consultant, MD or DO for breastfeeding support and counseling are covered at no cost. For Essentials by MESSA members, two visits per year with an MD or DO for breastfeeding support and counseling are covered at no cost.