MaineCare and IBCLC Support

The right support at the right time makes a difference between frustration or resolution. Currently with MaineCare, there is a crucial gap in lactation support for frustrated parents. 

Only private insurance will reimburse for visits at an IBCLC private practice or for IBCLC home visits.

MaineCare only covers consultations at a hospital or medical office. That means MaineCare families have to drive, sometimes hours, to a hospital or clinic. With the continued closing of maternity centers, this is an obvious obstacle to care.

One motivated IBCLC, Mitchell Kohl, addressed this concern.

She presented an idea to Kara Kaikini, executive director of MSBC. They met with a MaineCare representative who explained that work had begun to include IBCLC support. However, it seemed more action would be necessary.  

Meeting with IBCLCs and representatives from other states was helpful.

It clarified what would be effective to change the reimbursement policy. When reaching out to legislators, Representative Michelle Boyer (D- Cape Elizabeth) and Senator Anne Carney (D-Cumberland) were most interested in sponsoring a bill.

In a short time, Representative Boyer had crafted LD 865: An Act to Require MaineCare to Reimburse for Lactation Services in the Homes of Eligible Persons.

On March 18th, six IBCLCs and one OB/GYN went to the State House. We presented our testimony in support of this bill. There was no opposition. A representative from the Academy of Lactation Practice and Policy (ALPP) advocated for both IBCLC and CLC support to be included. 

We greatly value the support and education that CLCs provide.

Families throughout the state benefit from their care. We also know that families need more clinical care from an IBCLC. The IBCLC has an important distinction of requiring the most rigorous credentialing and is recognized by the World Health Organization.

We decided to start with requesting reimbursement for IBCLCs who are certified under one international, consistent standard. This is important for visits happening in the home and private practice settings. 

At the end of March, LD 865 was passed out of the Health and Human Services with a unanimous Ought to Pass vote. The bill will then move onto the Appropriations committee, and then onto the House and Senate. 

Reimbursement of IBCLC home and/or private practice visits for families with MaineCare is important.

It will make it easier for families to get support. That can help fill a crucial gap and improve our work with other providers. We hope this will also make it possible for more people to follow their goals to become an IBCLC and provide care to the families near them. 

Let’s celebrate this step forward. Thank you to the Health and Human Services committee for listening, learning and asking good questions. 

When every baby receives human milk, we will be a healthier Maine.