Navigating Insurance and more with Nurture Columbus

Navigating insurance is confusing! When Allyson and I (Julie) first sat down to create Nurture Columbus, one of our main goals was to figure out insurance coverage and creative ways we could offer quality, in-home lactation services to ALL families. We have made some great progress working toward this goal, and are continually working each week to improve access to IBCLC lactation services. Here are your current options for covered or discounted services with Nurture:

• Nurture is in-network with the following plans (coinsurance/deductibles may apply):
  • Anthem BCBS
  • United Health Care
  • Medical Mutual
• Nurture is approved for out-of-network direct billing for OSU/Trustmark insurance plans with no out of pocket fees for members.
• For all other out-of-network insurance plans we submit claims for you, if you provide your insurance information on your intake form. This means you self pay us upfront and we submit an insurance claim on your behalf requesting reimbursement. Any funds reimbursed will be sent to you directly from your insurance company. 
• Self Pay Rate is listed on our website and includes a 20% discount. Self Pay Rate clients pay in full, upfront upon completion of consultation. Clients who are uninsured or members of out-of-network insurance plans (with the exception of out-of-network direct billing) are eligible for the Self Pay Rate Discount.
• If you have a Medicaid plan or are a WIC recipient, in addition to advocating for lactation coverage, we offer a discounted consultation rate for all of our in-home and virtual consultation services. Discounted consultations cannot be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement.
• For Aetna plans, previous clients state they have had success requesting network deficiency or gap coverage prior to their first consultation. Currently, the closest Aetna in-network private practice IBCLC is located 75 miles from Columbus, OH. Nurture is actively seeking in-network status with Aetna, however, the panel for adding IBCLCs is currently closed in the state of Ohio.
• If you would like to verify insurance coverage prior to your consultation, please call the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm. The following information may help in determining coverage:

We hope one of these options helps you in accessing the care you deserve. We would love the opportunity to support you and your family on your feeding journey!

**This blog post is frequently updated to add up-to-date insurance coverage.

About the author: Julie Oberholzer is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with Nurture Columbus, in Columbus, Ohio.  With her background in Public Health and Lactation, she enjoys meeting with parents and new babies, helping them on their feeding journey and supporting them as they find their new normal.