About That Smart Breast Pump Price Tag

For moms all around the world who have chosen to go the breastfeeding route, the word "pump" has been known to induce fear, annoyance, and a vivid reminder of time lost as an uncomfortable machine loudly extracts your breastmilk. However, all of that changed at the 2017 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) when the world was introduced to the new Willow smart breast pump. The new device is cordless, comfortable, and quiet, and can even be worn under a standard nursing bra, making it the ideal solution for working mothers. However, it hasn't hit the market yet, and when it does, it won't exactly be cheap, with the initial cost setting in at $429. At such a high price, you may be wondering if it's possible to buy the smart breast pump on a payment plan. The answer? It's a definite possibility.

While Willow is still a new device, and hasn't been fully vetted with insurance companies, Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, has made certain that all insurance companies are required to "cover the cost of a breast pump as part of women’s preventative health services," according to the Department of Health and Human Services. However, with a Trump presidency looming closer closer towards us, and congressional Republicans doing everything they can to repeal the act, it's important to know your options.

One option that may apply to you is to help fund your new smart breast pump by using your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If you're employed, and have health coverage through your employee, you probably qualify for a FSA. One of the perks of using you FSA is that you don't have to pay taxes on whatever funds are in it, and you can use the money in it to pay for things such as prescriptions, therapy, and other medical supplies, such as, yes, breast pumps and supplies.

However, not everyone has the privilege of having a FSA provided by their employee health insurance plan. Fortunately, there are several companies that specialize in helping moms understand their options in affording a breast pump.

Since Willow has yet to hit the market, it isn't clear whether or not there are other ways to pay for the pump. And with the ACA on the brink of destruction, it's uncertain as to whether or not new moms will be able to get their hands on the smart breast pump without breaking the bank at all. Romper has reached out to Willow for comments on payment plans for mothers and families and is awaiting a response.

Whatever happens, though, it's clear that Willow is an important invention for mothers everywhere. Hopefully, more moms will have access to it and others like it soon.