Blue Cross Blue shield of South Carolina does not recognize lactation consultants as a provider type. We hope to remedy this and be able to work with BCBS soon as the result of our advocacy efforts. Unfortunately when legislative actions are involved, soon usually means within a few years.

There have been some major changes with BCBS as of May 1, 2025. These are your options now:

• If you have BCBS of SC you may still come see us as a self pay patient. You will pay for your visit at the time of service and then we can file a claim on your behalf, or we can provide you with a superbill for you to file your own claim. BCBS will only send payment to the member (that's you) for out of network claims.
  • We recommend filing your own claim if possible, particularly if you have a marketplace plan or other ACA compliant plan that must cover lactation. This allows you to continue to advocate for reimbursement and they are more likely to do so when you are the one calling and pushing for it.
    
• Check with your pediatric office, several have lactation consultants in their offices or on their staff.
• Prisma Richland offers outpatient lactation, call them at 803-434-5618 to schedule.
• If you have BCBS of another state (not BCBS of SC) you may be able to get care covered by The Lactation Network in North Carolina or Georgia. Here are some practices in border areas that you can look into:
  
  • Augusta, GA
    • Laura Becker, IBCLC
    • Mama Mentor
    • Sally Wood Lactation
  • Davidson, NC
    • Lake Norman Breastfeeding Solutions