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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:

Impact of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Improving maternal/infant health outcomes: Promoting equity in access to clinical lactation care.

TennCare Lactation Consultant Benefit & Billing Updates

Access

Resources

Webinars & Other Resources

Webinar – Sept 14, 2023

Increasing Outpatient Breastfeeding Support and Services in TN: Consultants, Counselors, Educators, and Peer Supporters

Webinar – Oct 12, 2023

Strategies to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

Webinar – Nov 9, 2023

Mental Health

Webinar – Dec 14, 2023

When to Consult, Counsel & Refer

Webinar – Jan 11, 2024

Social Media

Webinar – Mar 14, 2024

BF during a Disaster

Webinar – Apr 17, 2024

Lactation Economics: The Business Case for Investing in Families

Webinar

The Lactation Worker

Webinar – June 13, 2024

Back to Work

TDH Division of Tenncare – Updated on March 15, 2024

Lactation Consultation Benefit Update

TIPQC Taskforce

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.

Get

Involved.


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.