Critical Insurance Update

There have been several key changes for BlueCross BlueShield families and The Lactation Network.

Key updates include:

🗓 🚫 Starting July 14, 2025, TLN will no longer accept new patients with many of network plans - BlueCross Blue Shield plans make up a majority of those that will no longer be accepted.
This means all new BCBS families will have to private pay and will receive a lactation super bill for insurance reimbursement. It does not mean that BCBS will not cover lactation, it means that they are no longer working with The Lactation Network (TLN)

🪪 United Healthcare Plans & Aetna will be accepted (Aetna coming soon to IMTM). Visit limits may apply.

✅️ Already approved through TLN for BCBS? You are still covered for your 3-6 visits.

😕❓️Why the changes? BCBS has made sweeping changes to their definitions for lactation care, reimbursement rates, and coverage policies for IBCLCs.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Families deserve better. Lactation care isn’t a single 20 minute visit where magic wands are waved! It can take time and support of the nursing dyad, AND their support team, including family and other care providers.

👩‍⚕️Providers deserve to be paid for their expertise. We shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to become in-network with insurance companies. We also need to be paid appropriately by insurance providers and third party entities that help us with billing.

🤝🚫 Attempts for negotiation, improved contracts, and reimbursement rates have been made to no avail. Here in TX, many of our IBCLC colleagues have already met with BCBS without seeing positive results.

⏳️For now, we’re not moving away from TLN. We’llshare this information in a timely manner as needed.

📃 Out of Network visits will still receive itemized receipts (super bills) so families can submit for reimbursement.

🤬 Mad about this? Yeah, us, too. You can file a complaint with your state’s department of insurance. In Texas, visit tdi.texas.gov.

❓️Questions? Send us an email. We will do our best to answer questions, assist with scheduling, and help you navigate options. You deserve high quality, compassionate lactation care. We remain committed informing, supporting, and empowering families with their lactation and infant feeding journeys!