Lactation
Workforce Training
Tennessee remains under-resourced in the need for lactation professionals. These professionals provide a critical support for moms and babies during their initial and ongoing journey through breastfeeding.
Intro
On June 1, 2023, TennCare began reimbursing outpatient lactation visits for their TennCare Medicaid and CoverKids members. In order to provide these services, additional lactation professionals need to be trained and join the in-network benefits, as described below:
*When supervised and billed by a registered, in-network provider listed below, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) with no additional medical licensure, Certified Lactation Specialists (CLSs), Certified Breastfeeding Specialists (CBSs), Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs), and Certified Lactation Educators (CLEs) may provide lactation support to individuals with TennCare.
Supervising Providers include:
- Physicians (MDs/DOs)
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)
- International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) with healthcare licensure
If you are an IBCLC, CLC, or CLE that is employed by an in-network, contracted provider, you must bill under the supervising provider. To contract and credential with a TennCare MCO as an independent provider, IBCLCs must carry liability as an individual or through their practice group. They must also have one of the following licenses/credentials:
- Dentist
- Dietitian
- Midwife
- Nurse/RN
- Occupational Therapist
- Pharmacist
- Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist
- Physician or Medical Doctor
- Speech Pathologist or Therapist
NLCA White Paper:
Webinars & Other Resources
Increasing Outpatient Breastfeeding Support and Services in TN: Consultants, Counselors, Educators, and Peer Supporters
Brenda Barker, MEd, MBA, TIPQC Executive Director
Ginger Carney, MPH, RDN, LDN, IBCLC, RLC, FILCA, FAND, Recently retired. Previous Director, Clinical Nutrition and Lactation Services, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Gloria Dudney, RN, IBCLC, RLC, Director of Lactation Services, ETSU Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Briana J. Jegier, PhD, Program Chair & Associate Professor, Health Administration and Public Health, Baptist Health Sciences University
Tiana Pyles MHA, CLC, *BSTARS*, Tennessee Breastfeeding Coalition, Shelby County Breastfeeding Coalition, United States Breastfeeding Committee, Chair
Karen Schetzina, MD, MPH, FAAP, Professor, ETSU, TIPQC Infant Medical Director
Pat Steimer RN, IBCLC, President Executive Board | Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee
Genae Strong, PhD, APRN, CNM, RNC-OB, IBCLC, RLC, CNE
Methodist Health Care Llewellyn Legacy Professor, Professor, Loewenberg College of Nursing, Director of PhD Program
Steven Compton, JD, Project Manager
Many thanks for the hours of investment in this project and improving the lactation services in our state.
This training is in thanks to a grant from Wellpoint and United HealthCare.
TIPQC is actively recruiting devoted health care professionals, community leaders and patient and family partners to further our mission of improving health outcomes for mothers and babies in Tennessee.