Breast Pumps Archives

Spectra breast pumps have been around since 2011 and have become a household name. Spectra currently has 5 different breast pumps available, all of which are considered traditional tabletop breast pumps. Some of their breast pumps are over 10 years old, while some of their newer models came to market within the past couple of years. So, what is the best Spectra breast pump? Let’s take a look at each of them.

Spectra Breast Pumps Available

Here are the 5 Spectra breast pumps available:

Spectra S2 breast pump
Spectra S1 breast pump
Spectra S9 breast pump
Spectra Synergy Gold breast pump
Spectra Synergy Gold Portable breast pump

Spectra S2 Breast Pump

The Spectra S2 breast pump is one of the original Spectra breast pumps and is one of their most known breast pumps. It offers hospital grade suction up to 270 mmhg. The Spectra S2has two modes: massage and expression. It has 12 different levels for expression mode and 5 different levels for massage mode. These adjustable levels are what differentiated the Spectra S2 breast pump from other breast pumps on the market at the time. The Spectra S2 weighs 3 pounds and has a LCD screen.

Spectra S1 Breast Pump

The Spectra S1 breast pump has the same features as the Spectra S2 breast pump and them some. It adds an internal rechargeable battery, which lasts up to 3 hours, allowing for pumping on the go. It has the same modes and levels and the same suction strength as the Spectra S2, as well as the same 3 pound weight and LCD screen. It is Spectra’s most popular breast pump.

Spectra S9 Breast Pump

The Spectra S9 is Spectra’s smallest and most portable breast pump. It only weighs 0.5 pounds and has an internal rechargeable battery, which lasts up to 2.5 hours. It has expression and massage mode, with 10 adjustable levels for expression mode. It is Spectra’s weakest breast pump with a max suction strength of 260 mmhg.

Spectra Synergy Gold Breast Pump

The Spectra Synergy Gold breast pump is one of the newer breast pumps in the Spectra line up. It was the first of its kind to introduce dual controls to allow mom to adjust suction settings and strength on each breast. This means you can have one breast pumping at a higher suction strength and speed than the other. It has massage and expression modes and a max suction of 270 mmhg. It weighs a little over 4 pounds and has a touchscreen LCD screen.

Spectra Synergy Gold Portable Breast Pump

The Spectra Synergy Gold Portable breast pump is Spectra’s newest breast pump and is a variation of the Spectra Synergy Gold breast pump. The Spectra Synergy Gold Portable has the dual control technology, but only for suction strength. It also has an internal rechargeable battery, hence the “portable” in its name. It has massage and expression modes and a max suction of 270 mmhg. It weighs 1.5 pounds and has a a touchscreen LCD screen.

Spectra S2 vs. Spectra S1

The Spectra S2 breast pump and the Spectra S1 breast pump are near identical breast pumps, with only 2 differences: battery and color. The Spectra S2 does not have an internal rechargeable battery and needs to be plugged into a wall outlet every time it is used. The Spectra S1 has an internal rechargeable battery and can be used anywhere, assuming the battery is charged. It can also be used when plugged into a wall outlet. The Spectra S2 is pink and the Spectra S1 is blue.

Spectra S9 vs. Spectra S2 / Spectra S9 vs. Spectra S1

The two big differences between the Spectra S9 and the Spectra S2/S1 is the size and suction levels. The Spectra S9 is about one third the size of the Spectra S2/S1, making it much more portable. The Spectra S9 does sacrifice 2 suction levels in expression mode to achieve this portability. It also is not as strong as the Spectra S2/S1.

Spectra Synergy Gold vs. Spectra Synergy Gold Portable

The Spectra Synergy Gold and the Spectra Synergy Gold Portable are two of Spectra’s newest pumps. They both offer the dual control technology, but in a different way. The Spectra Synergy Gold breast pump has dual control technology that lets you control both the suction strength and cycle speed individually on each side. The Spectra Synergy Gold Portable breast pump only lets you control the suction strength individually on each side. You lose the ability to change the cycle speed individually on each side with the Spectra Synergy Gold Portable, but you do get an internal rechargeable battery with this model, allowing you to pump more freely. With the Spectra Synergy Gold, you need to always plug it into a wall outlet. The Spectra Synergy Gold Portable is also smaller and lighter than the Spectra Synergy Gold.

What Is the Best Spectra Breast Pump?

That is a tough question to address, as there is not a true correct answer. Since each mom’s breast pumping journey is different it really depends on their lifestyle. Here are some best use situations for each pump:

Spectra S2: First time moms who are looking for something tried and true. It is a household name for a reason.
Spectra S1: Moms who want what the Spectra S2 has to offer, but needs the portability and convenience of the internal rechargeable battery.
Spectra S9: Moms who are constantly on the move and needs a breast pump that can keep up with them, while not taking up too much space in their bag.
Spectra Synergy Gold: Moms who are looking for extra customization and adaptability for each pumping session.
Spectra Synergy Gold Portable: Moms who want the extra customization, but also need the portability and convenience of the internal rechargeable battery.

If you have any questions on any of the Spectra pumps or want a free breast pump consultation you can contact us. If you want to start your breast pump request using your insurance, fill out our Fast Track Form and one of our reps will help you through the process!

Breast pumps are becoming more and more popular and are considered essential for a lot of new moms, especially those who are on the go or returning to work. These breast pumps vary in cost and can add extra strain to an already expensive time in a new mom’s life. Getting your breast pump through insurance can help reduce and even remove this cost. Many insurances follow the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires insurances to cover breast pumps. This means you could potentially save 100’s of dollars. Milk Moms is here to help guide you through this process and make it as quick and easy as possible.

In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about breast pumps through your insurance, from understanding your insurance coverage to placing an order.

Why Do I Need a Breast Pump?

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural ways to feed your baby, however, there is a lot of work and time involved. This can make it difficult for new moms to breastfeed their baby, especially for moms who are returning to work or are frequently on the go. A breast pump can help provide breast milk for your baby while you are away and can help increase your milk supply or keep it constant.

What Are the Different Kinds of Breast Pumps Through Insurance?

There are three main categories of breast pumps through insurance: manual breast pumps, electric breast pumps, and hospital grade breast pumps. Electric breast pumps are the most common type of breast pumps and are the ones we will be discussing in this guide.

Breast Pumps Covered Through the ACA

The ACA was signed into law in 2010 and mandates that insurance’s cover a breast pump. Most insurance plans have adopted the ACA and follow these coverage guidelines, meaning it is more than likely that your insurance plan covers a breast pump. The requirement for most plans is that you are pregnant or have given birth. A lot of plans will also provide coverage in the case of an adoption.

How Do I Know If My Insurance Covers a Breast Pump

The easiest way to determine if your insurance will cover a breast pump is to contact them directly. You will want to ask how they cover a standard electric breast pump. Most plans will cover the breast pump under some sort of Women’s Preventive coverage following the ACA. This means that they will cover a standard breast pump in full. Reaching out to insurance to get an estimate of this coverage information is apart of Milk Moms’ process and something we do for each order.

When Can I Get a Breast Pump Through Insurance?

Most insurances will allow you to get a breast pump at anytime during or after your pregnancy. However, there are some plans that have restrictions on this. For example, your insurance may require you to wait until your third trimester of the pregnancy to get the breast pump or to be within 30 days of your due date. It is a good idea to ask about this when you speak with your insurance regarding the coverage of the breast pump.

What Do I Do If My Insurance Plan Does Not Cover a Breast Pump

While it is uncommon, not all insurance plans will cover a breast pump. In these cases, you will need to purchase a breast pump out-of-pocket. Milk Moms offers discounts in these instances. You will want to contact us directly for discounted pricing. Purchasing a breast pump through us allows you to use your HSA/FSA/Flex accounts, which can help relieve some of the financial burden of purchasing a breast pump out-of-pocket.

Base Model Breast Pumps vs. Upgraded Breast Pumps

There are two categories of electric breast pumps: base model breast pumps and upgraded breast pumps. Upgraded breast pumps usually have more features or accessories than base model breast pumps and go above and beyond what would be considered medically necessary. Due to this, upgraded breast pumps have an upgrade charge. This upgrade charge is not covered by insurances and is an out-of-pocket charge. Just because a breast pump is considered an upgraded breast pump it does not mean it is “better” than a base model breast pump. Pricing varies from insurance plan to insurance plan for these upgrades. You can fill out our Fast Track Form to get pricing on our breast pumps.

What Does Insurance Need For Me to Get a Breast Pump?

Insurances will typically require a prescription from your provider and a medical claim to be submitted into them. Most providers know that breast pumps are covered through insurance and are more than happy to give you a prescription for a breast pump. Milk Moms can help to get a prescription for a breast pump from your provider. We even have our own prescription templates available to make it easier for your provider.

How Milk Moms Helps You Get a Breast Pump Through Insurance

Milk Moms has been billing breast pumps through insurance for over 20 years and has a full understanding of the insurance process. Here is how we make it easy for our moms:

Insurance Verification: We verify each patient’s insurance eligibility and handle all of the paperwork.
Widest Selection of Pumps: We offer the widest selection of breast pumps through insurance to ensure we have a pump to suit each mom’s pumping needs.
Expert Guidance: We offer free breast pump consultations with each order to help navigate the many options available.

Conclusion

While it is true that getting a breast pump through insurance does have some additional steps when compared to purchasing one at retail, it does not mean that it needs to be any more difficult for you. Milk Moms can help you navigate the insurance process and will do most of the work for you. From gathering documentation to verifying insurance eligibility to even helping you choose the right pump, Milk Moms is here to help you navigate this process. If you have any questions about the process or if you are ready to start this process now, fill out our Fast Track Form and one of our reps will reach out to help.