Our Standards and Your Rights
NYLCA recognizes that a wide variety of professionals support breastfeeding. NYLCA is not responsible for certifying or monitoring the practices of lactation consultants, educators, peer counselors, or any other professionals that provide breastfeeding support. NYLCA has developed standards of care so clients and providers have a better understanding of mutual expectations.
Our Standards
The New York Lactation Consultant Association (NYLCA) strives for accountability to help parents find higher quality care and to enhance recognition of those providers who provide that care. Individuals who are listed on our website must agree to abide by terms that NYLCA has established. Since both clients and lactation consultants have rights and responsibilities towards each other, NYLCA developed a Bill of Rights to clarify expectations.
Private home or office consultations listed on our website are restricted to members in good standing who are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).
The NYLCA referral line is restricted to members in good standing who are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).
Prenatal classes and breastfeeding groups listed on our website may be offered by IBCLC members or Affiliate members with other appropriate qualifications.
All IBCLCs must abide by the code of ethics and the scope and standards of practice for this profession to maintain their board certification. IBCLCs recertify every five years.
Your Rights
You have the right to a lactation consultant who:
IS COURTEOUS AND PROMPT.
If a lactation consultant cannot respond to your request for services within a reasonable amount of time, they should offer other options for you to locate the services you need including referrals to other lactation consultants.
VERIFIES HER CERTIFICATION STATUS UPON REQUEST.
A lactation consultant certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is registered. You can request to see their IBLCE card or contact the IBLCE to verify their certification status.
DESCRIBES SERVICES AND FEES BEFORE MEETING WITH YOU.
The New York Lactation Consultant Association (NYLCA) expects its members to provide you with information about:
assessments and techniques she may use, the estimated duration of your meeting
the rate for services (based on time or number of visits) and acceptable form(s) of payment, including in-network status if applicable.
It is not always possible to predict supplies and equipment that you may need prior to a meeting with a lactation consultant.
PROTECTS YOUR PRIVACY.
The IBLCE Code of Ethics and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States have established guidelines to protect the privacy of health information.
PROVIDES INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS.
NYLCA expects its members to provide you with:
a written or verbal action plan developed with you
a dated receipt for your payment
a signed and dated form to submit to your insurance company that includes a National Provider ID number, a tax ID number, procedure codes, and diagnostic codes
if you are attending a group setting, you may need to request these documents.
COOPERATES WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS.
NYLCA expects its members to:
communicate, as needed, with other health care practitioners involved in the care of you and your baby
refer you to other professionals outside their scope of practice.
PROVIDES SERVICES WITHOUT COERCION.
NYLCA expects its members to provide their services to you even if you choose to refuse:
to be examined by students, photographed, or videotaped participate in group demonstrations or research
and/or any or all specific techniques, actions, supplies, or equipment suggested by the lactation consultant.
Responsibilities
In return, you should:
BE COURTEOUS AND PROMPT.
If you cannot keep an appointment with your lactation consultant, you should notify her in a timely manner so she can reschedule other clients. If you are late to an appointment, keep in mind that she may not be able to fully compensate for your tardiness.
RESPECT HER PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
Your lactation consultant is a professional, not a volunteer. As such, they have the right to charge for their services and provide services to the full extent of their scope of practice as a lactation consultant.
PROMPTLY PAY FOR THE SERVICES SHE RENDERS.
You are obligated to pay your lactation consultant the agreed upon fee(s):
When services are rendered, or if you abruptly cancel an appointment without adequate notice.
as with any health care service, they cannot guarantee a specific outcome.
Do not expect them to provide services beyond her scope of practice.
Do expect them to charge a reasonable price for any additional supplies and equipment you may choose to purchase from her.
RESPECT HER PRIVACY STANDARDS.
Your lactation consultant is not allowed to discuss their interactions with other clients in a way that would violate their privacy. If you are in a group setting please respect the privacy of others attending the group.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOW YOU USE THE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS SHE PROVIDES.
Your lactation consultant is not responsible for any negative consequences should you deviate from the agreed upon plan.
Apart from providing required documentation, they are not responsible for ensuring coverage for her services since your health insurance is a contract between you and your insurer.
if you need additional copies of any documents, she may charge a reasonable administrative fee for providing those copies.
NOT HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS.
Your lactation consultant is not responsible for the consequences of medical diagnoses, treatments, suggestions, or prescriptions recommended by other health care practitioners, friends, or relatives.
RESPECT HER OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE SO YOU CAN MAKE FULLY INFORMED DECISIONS.
Your lactation consultant is obligated to help you make fully informed decisions by providing evidence. Evidence-based suggestions may sometimes differ from the opinions of others who have less expertise than lactation consultants. As long as she allows you to make your own decisions without depriving you of services, she is not coercing you if she merely makes suggestions or asks if you are interested in volunteering for training, educational or research purposes.
Information About How To File A Complaint About An Individual Listed On Our Website
If you feel that an individual is not complying with our standards of care for a listing on our website, please report your allegations to the NYLCA Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee will evaluate the allegations and make a determination on the individuals eligibility to remain on the website.
The New York Lactation Consultant Association (NYLCA) is not responsible for certifying or monitoring the practices of lactation consultants, peer counselors, educators, or any other professionals that provide breastfeeding support.
If you believe that an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is engaging in unethical or unprofessional behavior, please contact the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners to report your allegations.