People are sometimes shocked to learn that they need to pay out of pocket for lactation consultations, as they are accustomed to only paying a co-pay for the doctor. Several factors determine the fees charged by lactation consultants:
- Our charge for a 2 hour consultation typically reflects what physicians charge for a 7-10 minute visit.
- The customary insurance reimbursement for lactation services.
- The length of each visit with the lactation consultant at The New Born Baby.
- Initial visit: 2 hours
- 1st follow-up: 1 1/2 hour
- 2nd follow-up: 1 1/2 hour
- Our package of visits include unlimited email support.
- Our consultation fee includes writing and faxing a report to your doctor and your baby's doctor.
According to Marianne Neifert, pediatrician, national breastfeeding expert and author of "Great Expectations: The Essential Guide to Breastfeeding" (Sterling, September 2009):
"I think we don't tell mothers to budget money for working through your breastfeeding. We tell mothers you're going to make money breastfeeding. But it costs money to feed a baby; how do you want to spend that, on the best nutrition or the second-best nutrition? So budget money in case you need to pay for a breastfeeding consultation or in case you need to rent a pump, and unfortunately, we don't get the good medical coverage for these things women deserve. That's a whole other issue."
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