Oh, baby! A New York City Health Benefits Program improvement now available to city workers covered by GHI CBP makes breast-feeding support, supplies and counseling available with no co-pay or deductible.

As of July 1, as part of women’s preventative health services, EmblemHealth makes bringing up baby easier with the new benefit, which covers the cost of renting or purchasing breast-feeding equipment through one of the following approved providers:

• Worldwide Surgical: 1-877-605-6005
• Better Living Now: 1-800-854-5729
• Yummy Mummy: 1-855-879-8669

The surgeon general recommends mothers breast-feed exclusively for six months and continue to breast-feed for a year or longer after introducing solid food.

During their third trimester of pregnancy, women should request a breast-pump prescription from their doctor or midwife. Then they should contact one of EmblemHealth’s three participating Durable Medical Equipment vendors and mail or email their prescription to the vendor. The vendor will arrange delivery of their manual or electric breast pump, which is theirs to keep.

All necessary supplies — such as bottles, caps, tubing and shields — for breast-pumping also are covered by EmblemHealth and should be included in the breast-pump kit the vendor sends.

When recommended, a hospital-grade breast pump may be prescribed by the medical provider. EmblemHealth requires prior authorization for rentals of a hospital-grade breast pump and, once authorized, the rental is effective for 90 days.

All members also are covered for visits with approved lactation consultants who can offer suggestions and encouragement at home or in the doctor’s office after delivery.

More information is available online or by calling the Healthy Beginnings PATH program at 1-888-447-0337.