Breast Pumps and Supplies

TRICARE covers certain breast pumps and supplies for eligible beneficiaries. You may qualify if:

• You’re at least 27 weeks pregnant,
• You’ve given birth, or
• You legally adopt an infant and intend to personally breastfeed.

Breast Pumps

TRICARE covers:

• One manual or standard electric breast pump per birth event
• Hospital-grade breast pump rentals when medically necessary

Breast Pump Supplies

TRICARE covers certain breast pump supplies. You can get covered supplies starting at 27 weeks pregnant and for up to three years after the birth event. The three-year period starts on the child’s birth date or date of legal adoption.

There are limits to how many supplies you can get and how often you can get them. 

• Bottles: Two replacement bottles and caps/locking rings every 12 months after the birth event
• Bottle caps: Two every 12 months after the birth event
• Locking rings: Two every 12 months
• Nipple shields/splash protectors: Two sets (two shields per set) per birth event when a provider prescribes
• Standard power adapters: One replacement per birth event, and not within 12 months of the breast pump purchase date
• Storage bags: 100 bags every 30 days following the birth event
• Supplemental nursing system: One per birth event when a provider prescribes
• Tubing and tubing adapters: One set per birth event
• Valves/membranes: One per month for 12 months following the birth event

You can get more supplies than listed above if your provider prescribes them and they’re medically necessary. You’ll need a new prescription from your provider. The prescription must specify what supplies you need.

You need a prescription from a TRICARE-authorized doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife.

• Your breast pump prescription must specify a manual or standard electric breast pump. 
• Prescriptions for supplies must specify which supplies you need.

For a hospital-grade pump rental, work with your provider and your TRICARE regional contractor for a referral and authorization.

• You pay nothing for covered breast pumps and supplies you get from network providers and network DME suppliers.
• You may have to pay up front for covered items you get from non-network providers, non-network DME suppliers, and retail and online stores. You can file a claim for reimbursement. TRICARE reimburses up to the TRICARE-allowable amount.

TRICARE doesn’t cover:

• Breast pump batteries, battery-powered adapters, and battery packs
• Breastfeeding accessories, such as nursing bras, cleaning supplies, and travel bags
• Extended breast pump warranties

• Breastfeeding counseling
• TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration