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.
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
Webinar Series
September 14 Webinar: Increasing Outpatient Breastfeeding Support and Services in TN: Consultants, Counselors, Educators, and Peer Supporters
October 12: Strategies to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
November 9, 2023: Mental Health
Future webinars:
December 14, 2023: When to Consult, Counsel & Refer Registration
January 11, 2024: Social Media
February 8, 2024: Disparities in Lactation Across TN
March 14, 2024: BF during a Disaster
April 11, 2024: Private Practice in Lactation & Billing
May 9, 2024: The Lactation Worker
June 13, 2024: Back to Work
Lactation Training Opportunities
TIPQC will be taking scholarship applications for individuals wanting to pursue training as a:
- International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) Application Required by December 1, 2023 + $25 fee if accepted
- Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) Application Required by December 15, 2023 + $25 fee if accepted
- Hospital Workforce Education (Assuring Breastfeeding Success) through Lactation Education Resources Application Required by December 15, 2023, no fee
- Interdisciplinary Breastfeeding Education 3-hour free online course
TIPQC Annual Meeting Opportunity
Join TIPQC for a engaging meeting, and a half day breakout session on breastfeeding and lactation in Tennessee.
March (24) 25-26, 2024 in Franklin, TN
Registration information forthcoming.
TIPQC Taskforce
Brenda Barker, MEd, MBA, TIPQC Executive Director
Ginger Carney, MPH, RDN, LDN, IBCLC, RLC, FILCA, FAND, 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
Sharon Wadley, RN, TIPQC Data 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 AmeriGroup and United HealthCare.