Affordable Care Act: Lactation

Insurance Coverage for Lactation Support

Good News — Many Insurance Plans Cover Lactation Care!

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most health insurance plans are required to provide breastfeeding support, counseling, and breast pump coverage for pregnant and postpartum families.

This means you may be eligible to receive lactation services at little to no out-of-pocket cost.

What May Be Covered

  • Prenatal and postpartum lactation consultations

  • Breastfeeding counseling and support

  • Breast pump coverage (manual or electric, depending on your plan)

  • Breast pump rentals or new pumps to keep

Note: Coverage varies by insurance provider and plan. Some plans may have specific guidelines regarding pump type, rental duration, or timing of delivery.

Important to Know

These benefits apply to most Marketplace and private insurance plans, including employer-sponsored plans. Grandfathered plans (older plans that existed before ACA requirements took effect) may not include lactation coverage.

Learn More About Your Benefits

For more information about breastfeeding benefits under the Affordable Care Act, visit: Healthcare.gov Breastfeeding Benefits

You can also read more about ACA lactation coverage requirements here: National Institutes of Health – ACA Lactation Coverage Overview