UnitedHealthcare's new billing policy cuts lactation consultants' pay in half

UnitedHealthcare will change its billing policy for lactation consultants from 1 September. Currently, consultants can bill separately for services to both mother and baby. The new rule will allow only one reimbursement per visit, regardless of the number of patients seen. Lactation consultants like Danielle Tropea, who works in New Jersey, currently earn around £250 per home visit. This fee covers travel, time, and supplies. Under the new policy, their income for each visit will drop by about half.

The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, requires insurers to cover breastfeeding support and counselling at no cost to families. Breastmilk is widely recognised as the best nutrition for infants, reducing risks of short- and long-term illnesses. It also lowers the chance of gastrointestinal problems.

Reimbursement rates for lactation services have remained largely unchanged for years. Consultants argue the work is time-consuming and involves high upfront costs for equipment. UnitedHealthcare has stated it will work with consultants to ease the transition, but many in the field view the change as short-sighted. The policy shift will reduce payments for each visit by roughly 50%. This could make it harder for consultants to sustain their businesses. Fewer providers may lead to reduced access to lactation support for families who rely on these services.