OUR TEAM IS READY TO SUPPORT YOU
EVIDENCE-BASED ADVANCED LACTATION CARE
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMING US OF ANY INSURANCE COVERAGE CHANGES FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY
I am a Cuban political refugee who migrated to this country at the age of 10 during the Mariel boat lift in 1980. I have been helping parents meet their infant feeding goals since 2004 by providing education and support to families in Northern New Jersey and NYC, as a private practice provider, as the Breastfeeding Coordinator for WIC of Hudson County, and as a former Trustee on the NJ Breastfeeding Coalition. What sets me apart is that I am a mother first and foremost. I’ve been where you are and I have no personal agenda about how you should feed your baby. My only interest is to serve you and to help you gain the knowledge and confidence you need so you can make informed decisions that fit your personal needs and goals.
I breastfed my own daughter for two and a half years after a very challenging first three months. I know, first hand, how you are feeling. During my nursing experience, I learned a lot about the great deal of pressure and stress parents experience in our society, where there is very little support for families. My goal is to help you get clarity on what you want and learn how to get there in a way that is manageable.
In addition to my work with individual families, I have trained women’s healthcare professionals in the hospital setting, WIC programs, Nurse Family Partnership, and Community Doula programs. I have developed and taught childbirth preparation and wellness programs for corporate organizations like the Discovery Group.
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work with children. I went to school for nursing, where my journey in healthcare began as a pediatric nurse. With over fifteen years of experience as a Registered Nurse and after having the first of my two children, my interest in breastfeeding began through my own personal struggles and experiences as a new mother.
I completed a comprehensive internship program to become an IBCLC. I am passionate about working with children and babies and supporting the family as a whole.
I struggled with breastfeeding my own children and felt alone and misguided. I am here to help you navigate through the journey of feeding and caring for your baby with both my professional expertise and my personal experience. I want to be any your side through any challenges you may face giving you the support you need and deserve to achieve your goals and help you feel confident along the way. I have been where you are. I want to support you to reach your individual goals.
I have a Bachelors of Science in Medical Technology. I have worked in many areas of the medical field ranging from being an HIV counselor, senior laboratory technician, drug test authorized specimen collector, quality assurance officer, and training officer. I have been working with The Lactation Place team since October of 2022.
I manage all aspects of the customer service experience, maintain scheduling of appointments, client communication, and all the other administrative tasks necessary to support the providers to deliver consistently compassionate, skilled support to the families that entrust us with their care.
I am looking forward to supporting you through your infant feeding and care journey. I am here for you and your family.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ ALL OUR SCHEDULING, INSURANCE AND PAYMENT POLICIES
INSURANCE BILLING
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMING US OF ANY INSURANCE COVERAGE CHANGES FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY IF YOU ARE COVERED FOR LACTATION SERVICES. CHECK UNDER NPI 1457969412 OR 1710273859. GET A CALL REFERENCE NUMBER AND WRITE DOWN THE DATE.
ONCE YOUR BABY IS BORN, WE HAVE TWO CLIENTS THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICES FOR AND WE BILL FOR BOTH FOR EACH CONSULT. ANY CONSULT THAT INVOLVES ASSESSMENT, RECOMMENDATIONS AND A CARE PLAN FOR YOUR BABY AND YOU WILL BE BILLED TO YOUR INSURANCE FOR EACH OF YOU.
AETNA MEMBERS/CLIENTS
Even if Aetna tells you that you are covered 100 percent, Aetna has drastically changed their lactation coverage since March 2024. They no longer cover six consults. They now cover six codes, TOTAL! Each consult is billed as two codes which means you, the parent, will have a total of three consults. Every “free” class you took online has deducted from your allowed of six TOTAL codes per year. They are no longer covering your child(ren)’s services as preventive, which means that their portion of the consult will go towards deductible or if they have met their deductible it will incur a small cost-share. Any ‘Patient Responsibility’ amount will be charged to the card you have on file. If your card is not valid, you will be notified and if the invoice is not paid, there will be a $100 processing fee added and your account will be forwarded for collection services.
If only your baby is covered under Aetna and you, the lactating parent, are not covered under Aetna, you MUST book a self-pay consult. If your baby is not on the lactating parent’s Aetna plan you must book the baby not on plan appointment and you must pre-pay the appropriate fee for each appointment.
We do not offer tele-health for Aetna clients.
CIGNA MEMBERS/CLIENTS
If your baby is not under your Cigna plan, you will have to pay a fee for their portion of the services for every consult. If only your baby is covered under Cigna, you will need to book and pay Self-Pay.
ANTHEM + BCBS MEMBERS/CLIENTS
It is your responsibility to check with Lactation Network to ensure that you are covered for lactation services. Every prenatal consult has a $35 booking convenience fee and every initial after birth consult has a $75 booking convenience fee both of which are due at the time of booking.
TELE-HEALTH DISCLAIMER
We only offer tele-health for Cigna, UHC, Self-Pay and Anthem + BCBS members approved through The Lactation Network. All tele-health consults are thirty minutes.
There are inherent limitations because a digital suckling assessment and a physical breast/chest can not be completed. Potential risks to the technology used for telehealth, are beyond the control of the provider, including interruption of connectivity, unauthorized access, and other technical difficulties.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Appointments canceled with less than 48 hour notice will be charged the FULL consult fee which is not covered by insurance. ALL fees for services are non-refundable and expire 60 days after the original purchase. The payment and no refund policy is SEPARATE from the cancellation policy. Refunds will NOT be issued once you book. Each client is responsible for all fees associated with each consult. Payment is charged at the time the appointment is scheduled. By scheduling your consult, you grant me permission to communicate with your insurance company regarding the services provided to you and to your child(ren).
Rental agreements: no refunds will be issued for any unused part of the rental terms. All equipment must be returned the day prior to the scheduled new charge in order to avoid being charged for a new rental term.