How the Affordable Care Act requires most insurance plans to cover a breast pump at zero cost, five steps to order yours through a DME provider, the difference between a base model and an upgrade, when during pregnancy to start the process, your federal workplace pumping rights under the PUMP Act, and how to build a complete pump-and-feed toolkit.
A quality double electric breast pump costs between $150 and $350 out of pocket. Under the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans are required to cover that cost entirely — meaning you can get a breast pump at zero cost to you. Yet many expecting mothers either do not know about this benefit or find the process confusing enough that they skip it and pay full price.
The benefit exists because the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months and continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods for at least one year. Pumping makes this realistic for mothers who return to work, share feeding duties with a partner, or need to build a milk supply. HealthCare.gov confirms that all Marketplace plans and most employer-sponsored plans must cover breastfeeding equipment, counseling, and support at no out-of-pocket cost.
This guide walks through the entire process — from checking your eligibility to receiving the pump at your door — in five clear steps.
What the ACA Covers
Since August 2012, the ACA has required non-grandfathered health insurance plans to cover breastfeeding support, counseling, and equipment with no cost sharing. This means no copay, no deductible, and no coinsurance for the covered pump. The requirement applies to Marketplace plans, most employer-sponsored group plans, and Medicaid plans in states that adopted the ACA expansion.
What IS Covered
What VARIES
What May NOT Be Covered
How to Get Your Pump in Five Steps
Check Your Plan
Get a Prescription
Choose a DME Provider
Select Your Pump
Receive Delivery
Pro Tip: Inventory Check
Base Model vs. Upgrade: What's the Difference?
Base Model ($0)
Mid Upgrade ($30–75)
Premium Upgrade ($75–150+)
When to Start the Process
The ideal window to begin is around week 28–30 of pregnancy. Some insurance plans allow ordering as early as the start of the third trimester; others require you to be within 30 days of your due date. Starting at 28 weeks gives you time to verify coverage (1–3 days), wait for insurance approval (3–7 days), and receive delivery (7–10 business days) — with a comfortable buffer before your due date.
If you missed this window and your baby has already arrived, you are still eligible. Most plans cover the pump for up to one year postpartum. The same five-step process applies — the only difference is that your prescription may reference a recent delivery rather than an upcoming one.
Go Mommy® Silver Nursing Cups
$46.99 $52.99Pumping and nursing both stress your nipples. Silver cups protect between sessions — no creams to wipe off before the next feed or pump. HSA/FSA eligible · 90-day money-back guarantee.
View DetailsYour Federal Pumping Rights at Work
Getting a pump is only half the equation — you also need time and space to use it. The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, signed into law on December 29, 2022, expanded federal workplace protections for breastfeeding employees. The enforcement provisions took effect on April 28, 2023.
Reasonable Break Time
Private Space (Not a Bathroom)
Legal Enforcement
Pumping, Feeding, and Nipple Care
Pumping is a physical process — the flanges compress and release your nipple tissue dozens of times per session, multiple sessions per day. Combined with direct breastfeeding, your nipples experience more mechanical stress than most new mothers expect. The Office on Women's Health recommends changing nursing pads frequently, avoiding tight bras that trap moisture, and keeping nipples clean and dry between sessions.
Silver nursing cups provide an additional layer of protection: they sit inside your bra and create a smooth, non-adhesive barrier between the nipple and the fabric. Residual breast milk stays against the skin — breast milk itself contains immunoglobulins that support tissue integrity — while the silver surface provides a naturally antimicrobial environment. Unlike lanolin or other topical creams, there is nothing to apply or wipe off before the next pump or feed session.
If you combine pumping with direct nursing — which most mothers who use insurance-covered pumps do — the feeding toolkit typically includes a nursing pillow for comfortable positioning during direct feeds, the pump itself for building supply and allowing partner feeding, silver cups for between-session nipple protection, and a portable bottle warmer for safely heating expressed milk on the go. If nipple soreness becomes an issue, our nipple cream guide covers the options — though many mothers find that silver cups eliminate the need for creams entirely.
Go Mommy® Portable Bottle Warmer
$47.61Pump at work, warm on the go. Heats expressed breast milk evenly in minutes — at home, in the car, or at the office. USB-C rechargeable.
View Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my breast pump really free?
Under the ACA, most insurance plans must cover a breast pump with no copay, deductible, or coinsurance. This applies to the base model your plan covers. Upgrade models may require a co-pay, which you can pay with HSA/FSA funds.
When can I order my pump?
Most plans allow ordering during the third trimester (around week 28–30). Some plans require you to wait until after delivery. Check with your insurer early so you know the timeline. If you already gave birth, you can still order — coverage typically extends up to one year postpartum.
What if my plan is "grandfathered"?
Grandfathered plans — those that existed before March 23, 2010, and have not made significant changes — may not be required to cover breastfeeding equipment. Contact your insurer to confirm. If not covered, you can purchase a pump using HSA/FSA funds or look into Medicaid eligibility.
Can I get a pump for each pregnancy?
Most insurers cover one pump per pregnancy, not per lifetime. If you are pregnant again, you are typically eligible for a new pump even if you received one for a previous pregnancy. Some plans have a time-based interval (e.g., one pump every three years) — confirm with your insurer.
What if my employer won't provide a pumping space?
Under the PUMP Act, nearly all employers are required to provide a private, non-bathroom space and reasonable break time for pumping. If your employer refuses, you can file a complaint with the Department of Labor (1-866-487-9243) or bring a private lawsuit. Retaliation for requesting pumping accommodations is illegal.
Does insurance cover replacement pump parts?
Coverage of replacement parts (flanges, valves, membranes, tubing) varies by plan. Some insurers cover replacements every 60–90 days. Others do not cover parts at all. Ask your insurer specifically about "breastfeeding supply replacements" — and keep receipts if you pay out of pocket, as these may qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement.