One of my core values is accessible lactation care for all.
Financial limitations should never prevent someone from getting the care they need to meet their feeding goals.
I am committed to helping folks get the care they need.
I think it’s important to share my reasoning and the greater context of this conversation, but if you’re looking for the fastest route to getting affordable care with me, feel free to scroll down to the section titled “What does this mean for me?”.
If you already qualify for other forms of financial assistance, you may wish to jump straight to the application:
Some Background
Even though the Affordable Care Act mandates that insurance companies cover lactation care, and in theory everyone should be able to see a lactation care provider for zero dollars…what this looks like in reality is really messy and far from equitable.
There’s a reason why many private practice IBCLCs don’t take insurance, and it isn’t to get rich (more on that here). And, of course, not everyone has commercial insurance to begin with. Medicaid coverage for private lactation care is also limited.
While I am now able to bill some insurance plans directly (see my Insurance page for more information), some parents will still need to pay out-of-pocket upfront, and I have multiple options to help make that manageable.
What is sliding scale?
A sliding scale is a tool for economic justice that enables people to pay for a service at a price point unique to their individual circumstances.
My sliding scale model is adapted from Alexis J. Cunningfolk’s Green Bottle analogy. It essentially asks individuals to self-identify where they fall in terms of their financial experience and access, and pay for services accordingly. This model ensures everyone in the community is able to access care.
In short, if you are comfortably able to meet all of your basic needs, the pricing model displayed on the Services page is the fee structure that applies to you. If you are not able to comfortably meet all of your basic needs, I encourage you to complete this short (2 minute) form to be considered for a sliding scale discount of 10-90%.
Because welcoming a new baby changes a family’s financial circumstances significantly, we also offer this graphic to help you decide where you fall. If you are uncertain where you land, please don’t hesitate to complete the form.
A Word on the Value of Lactation Care
I will be the first to admit that when my baby was born and we were still reeling from expenses related to her birth and preparing for her arrival, we balked at the idea of spending money out of pocket for lactation care – even though breastfeeding was really important to me! I didn’t realize until I left that first lactation appointment how valuable the counsel we received would be.
It’s incredibly frustrating that our systems don’t cover what is without question vital healthcare for babies and parents. We know that getting a family’s feeding journey off to the right start has positive effects that last a lifetime – and yet, it’s not a priority.
It’s important to know that your experience with Integrative Lactation Care is likely to be different than other lactation care you’ve received – and you will likely value it differently, too. An initial appointment with ILC lasts 90+ minutes, covers all elements of feeding & milk supply, and is designed to leave you with a plan you feel good about. We don’t rush, and we make sure you are confident about where you’re headed.
The right lactation care is a strategic investment in your child’s lifelong well-being and yours.
What does this mean for me?
So glad you asked! 🙂
Standard pricing listed on the Services page is at the Supporter level.
If after reviewing the graphics above, you feel that you may qualify for a Sustainer-level or Supported-level fee, please complete this short (2-minute) sliding scale request form.
All families are welcome to apply. If you are uncertain where you fall, I encourage you to complete the questionnaire – it never hurts!
Discounts between 10-90% are offered, and once a determination is made, it applies to all follow-up appointments within a 3-month period.
If it is determined you don’t qualify for a discount, or the discount is not sufficient to meet your budget, you have other options:
- you can attend one of our weekly support groups
- you can sign up for one of our free clinic days (coming soon)
- we can refer you to a provider who is in-network with your insurance
Accessible care is a core value; we want to make sure you get the care you need, even if it’s not with us.
Questions? You can reach out at info@integrativelactation.com.
Integrative Lactation Care 