I can help.
"We are very grateful for how much she has helped our family and would happily recommend her to anyone who is having a child or interested in learning about breastfeeding. Thank you Kate!" JW
Kate DiMarco Ruck, BA, IBCLC, PMH-C
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Kate DiMarco Ruck, BA, IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant providing lactation support to families in the New York Metro Area and works with clients virtually, anywhere.
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Kate is a warm, compassionate, and knowledgeable IBCLC trained in the Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad, and Rhythmic Movement and Reflexes in the Infant. Kate is PSI certified in Perinatal Mental Health, which means she can help her clients identify risks and symptoms of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, strategize around prevention or management of PMADs, and makes appropriate referrals within the community. She has a holistic approach to care, teaches prenatal lactation classes, and has extensive experience working with parents struggling with:
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Low milk supply
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Tongue tie, Tethered Oral Tissues, Torticollis, and other structural issues
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Lactation after Breast/Chest Surgery/Reduction/Cancer
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Pain/damage to nipples
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Positioning
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Twins/multiples
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Latch issues
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Slow weight gain
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Oversupply
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Gassy/fussy/colic
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Food intolerances
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Blocked ducts/mastitis/engorgement
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IGT/hypoplasia
- Older babies
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Relactation
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Parents with disabilities
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Infants with disabilities
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Bottle feeding, & 1x1 formula information
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Bottle Refusal
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Mental Health Check In & Strategies
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Return-to-work
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Baby Led Weaning & Transitioning to Solid Food
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Personalized Pump Fitting and Planning
...and other lactation challenges
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Kate works closely with parents to develop a comprehensive and supportive infant feeding plan. She strives to provide care to clients without judgement, and helps target the unique goals of each family she works with.
Kate has volunteered internationally within refugee communities, providing necessary breastfeeding support and aid during emergency situations. She is an active participant in the local, national and international lactation community. Kate formerly served on the board of NYLCA as Education/Events director. Kate speaks and teaches in various IBCLC trainings and workshops. She is continually attending professional conferences and trainings to keep up with the evolving field of human lactation in order to provide the best possible care for her clients.
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Kate is committed to anti-racism and recognizes that explicit and implicit bias in society, especially in healthcare, causes extreme harm to communities of color and other oppressed people. Kate humbly recognizes and acknowledges that where we are in New York City is a part of the unceded land of the Muncie Lenape people, along with other indigenous communities. She understands that the original stewards of this land had multi generational traditions of how to feed their infants, care for their children, raise their families, and gather their communities together. The intention of this recognition is part of the greater work that must be done to dismantle the ongoing legacies of settler colonialism.
Kate is an inclusive practitioner and proudly serves all families looking for assistance with infant feeding. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, 2 teenagers, and 2 dogs.
"I wouldn’t be breastfeeding at all if it wasn’t for Kate’s careful guidance and support." TT
Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, GHI/Emblem Health, MultiPlan
If you have PPO insurance, submit your insurance information to The Lactation Network to confirm whether office or virtual services will be covered.
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I offer Office or Virtual Visits only, I do not do Home Visits.
Once you have approval from TLN visit this link - Choose the TLN option, then TLN Initial Visit.
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A $50 Convenience Fee will be charged to any The Lactation Network visits. This fee is not a copay or applicable towards deductible. A credit card is required at time of booking.
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All prenatal visits will be virtual, unless special arrangements have been made for an office visit to conduct a breast exam in person.
You must promptly complete your health history form and sign consents prior to our visit.
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Please note: Once you have booked your appointment, if you need to cancel or reschedule, you must do so with 24 hours notice of the appointment time, or the full Self Pay fee (see list below) will be charged. No refunds for missed appointments or appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
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This service is offered through Cass Christopher Lactation Consulting.
I offer Office or Virtual Visits only, I do not do Home Visits.
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AETNA, MERITAIN (& most other Aetna partners): Accepted. Confirm that Cassandra Christopher is showing up as “in-network” with your plan. For visits where both the lactating parent & baby are assessed, claims will be sent for both patients. Specialist co-pays/co-insurance may apply for infants and prenatal consultations. Aetna 1199 plans not covered in NYC.
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UNITED HEALTHCARE (& most UHC partners including OXFORD FREEDOM, & UMR): Accepted. Oxford Liberty and Oxford Metro plans are not covered. Confirm that Cassandra Christopher is showing up as “in-network” with your plan. For visits where both the lactating parent & baby are assessed, claims will be sent for both patients.
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ANTHEM/BCBS: Accepted. Confirm that Cassandra Christopher is showing up as “in-network” with your plan. Anthem/BCBS may have patient responsibility portions such as co-pays and co-insurance for certain visit types.
CIGNA/OSCAR/GHI/OTHER PLANS: Out Of Network (OON), see rates below.
Please carefully read your CCLC Payment Consent Policy to know what your responsibilities are for this type of insurance visit. A credit card is required a the time of visit.
If your insurance denied your claim you will be billed the out of network (OON) rate.
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If you are on a covered plan but your baby is not, or vice-versa, there is a $150 assessment fee for the non-covered patient.
This will be charged to the credit card on file.
A SuperBill for potential insurance reimbursement can be provided upon request to admin@casschristopher.com after payment is received.
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You must promptly complete your health history form and sign consents at least 24 hours prior to our visit or your visit will be cancelled.
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All prenatal visits will be virtual, unless special arrangements have been made for an office visit to conduct a breast exam in person.
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Notice of cancellation for Aetna, Anthem, BCBS and United/Oxford visits must be provided 24 hours before the visit date/time. No Shows or Cancellations inside 24 hours will result in a $75 cancellation fee.
Self Pay Follow Up Visits for established clients only
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For clients who are not a part of any of the above plans. Payment is due at time of service. I will provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
I offer Office or Virtual Visits only, I do not do Home Visits.
You must promptly complete your health history form and sign consents prior to our visit.
Self Pay Fees:
Office Visit: $300
Virtual Visit: $200
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Credit card fees of 3.5% apply to all credit transactions.
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All prenatal visits will be virtual, unless special arrangements have been made for an office visit to conduct a breast exam in person.
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Lactation support is mandated by The Affordable Care Act. Check with your insurance company to request pre-authorization to see an out-of-network provider. Here's information on why most IBCLCs are out-of-network, and how to get reimbursed for your visit.
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You must promptly complete your health history form and sign consents at least 24 hours prior to our visit or your visit will be cancelled.
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OUT OF NETWORK: All clients paying out of pocket will be offered electronic claim submission to their insurance company for potential reimbursement.
SLIDING SCALE: If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you may be entitled to a sliding scale rate. Please contact us before booking if you are a SNAP recipient, an employee of the DOE, have experienced lay off or job loss due, or are an essential worker.
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Notice of cancellation for Self Pay/OON visits must be provided 24 hours before the visit date/time. No Shows or Cancellations inside 24 hours will result in a $75 cancellation fee.