FAQs

What insurance do you accept?

Almost any! United Healthcare (UMR, UHC, GEHA, etc.), Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Anthem, Cigna, Aetna of Missouri, and more. The best thing to do is submit this form rather than check with your insurance company since I bill out of network and your benefits don't impact coverage. I'm working on Ambetter and other Aetna plans.

What other costs can I expect?

The only cost would be a travel fee if you live beyond 30 minutes from me. I charge $10 per 10 minutes beyond 30 minutes (rounded to nearest 10).

There are NO costs to you when The Lactation Network (the billing company I use- TLN) tells you that you are covered. It doesn't even matter what your insurance says your benefits are because TLN submits out of network claims and will bear the brunt of the cost if it turns out that your insurance doesn't pay. TLN pays me a flat rate regardless. If you received an EOB saying you might owe something, rest assured that you don't owe anyone. That's a promise! Click here for clarification.

What can I expect in a visit?

This partly depends if it is a prenatal visit, pumping only visit, or mom and baby postpartum visit. The most common is a postpartum visit with both mom and baby which is usually about 2 hours, so here's what that looks like in a very simplified way: I arrive with my suitcase of supplies; set up everything; talk about your health history, birth story, and feeding history; visually and physically assess your breasts and nipples; visually and physically assess your baby; observe and help with feeding (this sounds super vague, but how hands-on I am really depends on the problem!); and create a plan to improve anything going on. Sometimes it's simple, sometimes it takes a little more "homework." I share with you everything I'm seeing and concerned about.

What about tongue ties?

I assess every baby for oral restriction (tongue tie, lip tie), whether that be from physically restricted frenula or body tension that mimics restricted frenula. I look for mobility and function with and without feeding. I am not quick to recommend a frenectomy as a front-line treatment unless it is absolutely not going to improve even with exercises. I only refer out to those whose work I have seen and trust. Important note- IBCLCs are not allowed to diagnose medical conditions! But I do show you and explain to you everything I am seeing and what the implications could be.

Can I just see any lactation provider?

That's a loaded question with a loaded answer! I'll keep it as simple as I can. There is currently an "alphabet soup" of "lactation people" such as CLC, CLS, ALS, CBS, etc. An IBCLC is the only lactation provider that is required to have college education, pass a 90-hour lactation course, and have a clinical internship (think nursing school clinicals or a residency)***see my caveat below*** IBCLCs are who you see for everything from basic breastfeeding education to a full blown hot-mess-express breastfeeding problems. The other providers are not allowed (per their scope of practice) to see complex breastfeeding situations- that is "issues that do not commonly precede adverse outcomes." So the other lactation providers are good for your basics, but not for truly problematic breastfeeding situations.

One problem with the process of becoming an IBCLC is that some health professionals can do their clinical internship without supervised hours! That's akin to becoming a surgeon by performing surgeries yourself without ever having an experienced surgeon teach you hands-on! So some IBCLCs became IBCLCs without having an experienced IBCLC mentor. This is a huge problem that most IBCLCs want to abolish. Always ask your IBCLC about their internship and if 100% of it was supervised.

How many visits do I need?

As you can imagine, this is highly variable based on the dyad and the problem(s). First, we stay in communication after every visit to assess for the need for more visits. There are many times the problem is solved within one visit so another visit is not needed. Sometimes, it takes a few. I am not a visit-pusher and it almost never takes more than 3 visits working on the same issue. With insurance, you get 6+ visits per pregnancy, but I've never maxed that out. Some IBCLCs make you follow up repeatedly and use up all your covered visits.

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"Heather was patient and kind and didn't make me feel rushed or nervous. She gave me great information and I feel way more informed this time around!!"

I cannot express how grateful I am that I found The Lactologist/Heather. I was having a hard time with breastfeeding my newborn in the first few days and the hospital lactation consultant hadn't been able to help. Heather came to my home within a day or so of my contacting her and was so helpful and reassuring."

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"I can't say enough wonderful things about Heather! . . . Heather was just the person for the job! . . . After a week on the written plan, I was back to normal and no longer in pain!"