Most people in the United States can get a breast pump at no cost through their health insurance. The Affordable Care Act requires nearly all health plans to cover the purchase or rental of a breast pump, and several government programs offer them to eligible families as well. Here’s how each option works and what to expect.
Health Insurance Under the ACA
The most common way to get a free breast pump is through your health insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act, all Marketplace plans and most employer-sponsored plans must cover breastfeeding equipment and counseling with no copay, deductible, or coinsurance. This applies whether you buy or rent the pump, depending on your plan’s specific rules.
The law doesn’t require insurers to cover a specific type of pump, which means some plans only cover a basic manual pump while others will provide a double electric model. In practice, many major insurers now cover standard electric pumps, but you may need to confirm with your plan before ordering. If your provider determines you need a hospital-grade pump for medical reasons, your insurer may cover a rental, though this sometimes requires additional documentation.
The one major exception: grandfathered health plans are not required to comply with this mandate. These are plans that existed before the ACA took effect in 2010 and haven’t made significant changes since. If you’re unsure whether your plan is grandfathered, your insurer or HR department can tell you.
When and How to Order
Most insurers allow you to order a breast pump during pregnancy, not just after delivery. Aetna, for example, considers a pump medically necessary at any point during pregnancy or after delivery. That said, some plans have their own timelines, so it’s worth calling your insurance company early in your third trimester to ask when you can place an order and what steps are required.
You’ll typically need a prescription from your OB, midwife, or primary care provider. The prescription doesn’t usually need to specify a brand. Once you have it, you can either go through a durable medical equipment supplier that works with your insurer or use one of the online breast pump companies that handle insurance verification for you. These companies will check your benefits, confirm what’s covered, and ship the pump directly to you.
To get started, call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask these questions:
- What type of pump is covered? Manual only, standard electric, or hospital-grade rental.
- Do I need a prescription? Almost always yes, but confirm the specifics.
- Which suppliers are in-network? Going out of network could mean paying out of pocket.
- Are replacement parts covered? Some plans cover new valves, tubing, and membranes on a set schedule.
Medicaid Coverage
If you’re enrolled in Medicaid, you can likely get a free breast pump as well, though benefits vary by state. Kentucky’s Medicaid program, for instance, covers one free breast pump per pregnancy. Many other states offer similar benefits, sometimes limited to manual pumps, sometimes including electric models. Your state Medicaid office or your prenatal care provider can tell you exactly what’s available where you live.
Because Medicaid programs are administered at the state level, the ordering process differs. Some states ship pumps directly, others require you to pick one up from a WIC office or medical supplier, and some issue them through your delivering hospital. If you’re on Medicaid and pregnant, ask about breast pump benefits at your next prenatal appointment so you’re not scrambling after delivery.
The WIC Program
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides breast pumps to eligible participants, often at no cost. WIC serves pregnant, postpartum (up to six months), and breastfeeding women (up to the infant’s first birthday), as well as infants and children up to age five.
To qualify, your household income must fall at or below WIC limits. If you already receive Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you’re automatically income-eligible. Otherwise, WIC looks at total household income from wages, tips, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and similar sources. Certain types of military income, including Basic Allowance for Housing and combat pay, are excluded from the calculation.
The type of pump WIC provides depends on your local agency and your breastfeeding situation. Some offices lend manual pumps for occasional use, while others provide electric pumps for parents returning to work or school. Contact your local WIC office to find out what’s available. You can locate the nearest office through your state health department’s website.
TRICARE for Military Families
If you or your spouse serves in the military, TRICARE covers breast pumps, supplies, and breastfeeding counseling at no cost. This benefit extends to all TRICARE-eligible women with a birth event, regardless of which TRICARE plan you’re on or your sponsor’s status. Adoptive mothers who plan to breastfeed also qualify.
TRICARE covers one breast pump kit per birth event, and coverage isn’t limited to a specific manufacturer, brand, or model. Your prescription doesn’t need to name a particular pump. For a standard manual or electric pump, the process is straightforward. If you need a hospital-grade pump, you’ll work with your provider and your regional contractor to get a referral and authorization.
Other Ways to Get a Free Pump
Beyond insurance and government programs, a few other options exist. Some hospitals and birthing centers provide a pump before discharge or lend hospital-grade pumps for the first few weeks postpartum. This varies widely by facility, so ask during a hospital tour or at a prenatal visit.
Nonprofit organizations and community breastfeeding coalitions sometimes distribute pumps to families who fall through the cracks, particularly those who are uninsured or whose plans don’t cover adequate equipment. Local La Leche League chapters and breastfeeding support groups can point you toward these resources in your area.
One important note on secondhand pumps: most health professionals advise against using a used breast pump from a friend or online marketplace unless it’s specifically designed as a multi-user, hospital-grade model. Standard consumer pumps are considered single-user devices because milk particles can get into the motor and tubing in ways that aren’t fully cleanable, creating a contamination risk even with new accessories.