The Issue 

As of May 1st 2025, The Lactation Network — announce they will no longer by accepting many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, a change that directly harms new and expecting families in Pennsylvania. These services were previously covered at 100%, giving parents access to professional, in-home or virtual lactation care at no cost.

In Pennsylvania, where many regions continue to face barriers to breastfeeding support, access to skilled lactation care is a vital lifeline. Denying IBCLCs in-network status not only removes a critical resource for parents — it also jeopardizes the viability of small, women owned lactation practices. These are often women-owned, locally operated businesses that have long provided compassionate, evidence-based care. Without fair access to insurance reimbursement, many of these providers may be forced to close their doors, leaving even more families without the support they need.

The Call

We Demand In-Network Insurance Coverage for IBCLCs in Pennsylvania.  Lactation care is preventative care and should be treated as sure.  We call on Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and United Health Care to allow IBCLC's in the state of Pennsylvania the right to be in-network providers so we can provide fully covered lactation care. 

Access to skilled lactation care shouldn't be a privilege—it should be a standard part of preventive healthcare. Lactation Care is Preventive Care and should be treated as such. In Pennsylvania, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs)—the gold standard in lactation support—are being denied in-network status by major insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care and Cigna. This creates serious access barriers for breastfeeding families and places an unfair financial burden on many small women-owned IBCLC practices.

Why This Matters 

Breastfeeding has well-documented health benefits, and expert support can make the difference between breastfeeding success and early weaning. Research shows that: Families who receive support from IBCLCs are four times more likely to initiate breastfeeding and continue for longer durations. Access to IBCLC care is associated with a 25% increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 weeks postpartum. Breastfed infants have lower risks of infections, obesity, diabetes, and SIDS, while mothers benefit from reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancers, hypertension, and postpartum depression. Despite these facts, IBCLCs in Pennsylvania are not permitted to contract as in-network providers with several major insurers—including Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, and Cigna—due to restrictive and outdated credentialing policies. This forces families to pay out-of-pocket for essential care or forgo it altogether, undermining public health goals and deepening health disparities.  

Lactation Support Is Preventive Care 

Under the Affordable Care Act, breastfeeding support and supplies are required to be covered without cost-sharing as part of preventive services for women. Yet insurers are failing to meet this mandate when they exclude qualified IBCLCs from their networks. This is not only a disservice to families—it’s a violation of both the intent and letter of federal health policy, further undermining the importance of breastfeeding for infant and maternal health outcomes. 

The Economic Impact on Women Owned Business

The majority of IBCLC practices are small, women-owned businesses. Denying these professionals access to insurance networks restricts their ability to grow sustainable practices, contributes to burnout, and limits their capacity to serve diverse and rural populations. It also reinforces gender-based economic inequities in healthcare delivery. We, the undersigned, urge Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and all insurance companies operating in Pennsylvania to recognize IBCLCs as essential healthcare providers and allow them to be credentialed as in-network. It’s time to remove barriers to care, support maternal and infant health, and invest in equitable access to evidence-based lactation services.