07/01/2025
NEWS FOR LACTATING PARENTS INSURED BY ANTHEM BCBS: LACTATION NETWORK NO LONGER PROVIDING COVERAGE TO ANTHEM MEMBERS AS OF 7/15/25
BACKGROUND
When a family is in need of lactation care, most will turn to an IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant like Star Lactation. Unlike most other insurance companies, Anthem BCBS will not cover lactation care provided by IBCLCs. They will only cover lactation services provided by a doctor, NP, PA or midwife.
In 2020, a company called Lactation Network stepped in to help Anthem members get coverage. They created a network of contract-based IBCLCS that provide services to Anthem families across the nation. Lactation Network would bill Anthem on an out-of-network basis for the services rendered by its IBCLCs, and then they were paid by Anthem accordingly.
On June 30, 2025, Lactation Network announced to IBCLCs that as of July 15, 2025, due to lack of payment by Anthem, it will no longer work with families insured by Anthem BCBS.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU:
* If you already have been approved for coverage by Lactation Network, Lactation Network states that you will still be covered up to the # of visits you've been approved for. Please note that things are rapidly changing at Lactation Network and it’s certainly possible that they may discontinue coverage.
* Lactation Network states that it will still take coverage requests until 7/14/25.
* On 7/15, Anthem members will not be covered for lactation care provided by private practice IBCLCs like Star Lactation. Anthem members will need to self pay. Star Lactation can provide a superbill (receipt) that can be submitted to Anthem for possible reimbursement.
We are so sorry that this has happened. This is affecting every private practice IBCLC and millions of Anthem families across the country. It's our hope that with public pressure, Anthem will change its policy and contract with IBCLCs directly - just like Aetna, UHC, Tricare, Cigna and many other health plans.
If you have questions, we can try to answer here, but we also suggest you reach out to Lactation Network (if you already have coverage) as well as, and more importantly to, Anthem itself.
