If a specialty eating disorder treatment interests you, there is a good chance that your Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association insurance will cover it. Some of the most commonly covered forms of specialty treatment include group therapy sessions, art therapy and chiropractic services.
Full Answer
Does health insurance cover eating disorders treatment?
In the case of an eating disorder, your health care provider may recommend a total rehabilitation program, and the insurance company will provide coverage accordingly.
Does Blue Cross and blue shield cover eating disorders?
While individual coverage may vary, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has an exemplary reputation when it comes to providing coverage for a variety of mental health issues, including but not limited to eating disorders. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, call us at .
Does insurance cover anorexia and bulimia?
Some insurers categorize anorexia and bulimia nervosa as severe disorders that qualify for extensive inpatient and outpatient benefits, while others may not. Medical benefits coverage also often comes into play when treating eating disorder-associated medical conditions, so diagnosing all physical illnesses present is important.
What is involved in inpatient treatment for eating disorders?
Inpatient treatment generally takes place at a residential facility with programs designed specifically for eating disorder management and care. Major health care providers, like the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, typically cover these facilities.
Does insurance cover bulimia?
For example, many insurers provide more coverage benefits for severe mental disorder diagnoses. Some insurers categorize anorexia and bulimia nervosa as severe disorders that qualify for extensive inpatient and outpatient benefits, while others may not.
What is the most successful type of therapy for individuals with anorexia nervosa?
CBT and IPT are the most established treatments for binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. FBT is the most established type of therapy for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa, and may also be beneficial for those with bulimia nervosa.
Does Humana cover eating disorder?
We offer individualized and intensive eating disorder treatment in four programs: inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient.
What services are available for anorexia?
AdvertisementA mental health professional, such as a psychologist to provide psychological therapy. ... A registered dietitian to provide education on nutrition and meal planning.Medical or dental specialists to treat health or dental problems that result from your eating disorder.More items...
Which eating disorder is most likely to be helped by antidepressant medications?
Antidepressant medication is more effective for bulimia nervosa than for anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa respond well to a combination of individual, family, and group psychotherapy interventions that focus on the recovery of normal eating behavior.
Does CBT work for anorexia?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the leading evidence-based treatment for bulimia nervosa. A new “enhanced” version of the treatment appears to be more potent and has the added advantage of being suitable for all eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified.
What is an Orthorexic?
What Is Orthorexia? Orthorexia is an unhealthy focus on eating in a healthy way. Eating nutritious food is good, but if you have orthorexia, you obsess about it to a degree that can damage your overall well-being. Steven Bratman, MD, a California doctor, coined the term in 1996.
Is anad a good organization?
ANAD is a support organization that is peer run and professionally supported. ”ANAD has been an instrumental piece of my recovery journey. ANAD's Support groups have been a lifeline for me. Whether online or in person, knowing that I can talk to others in the same situation gives me the resolve to keep going.
What does ANAD stand for?
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) is the original non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and alleviation of eating disorders (since 1976).
What is the most common question asked at the National Eating Disorders Association?
One of the most common questions received at the National Eating Disorders Association is about issues with insurance. Whether for outpatient therapy, inpatient hospitalization, or anything in between, understanding your policy’s benefits and obtaining authorization for the appropriate level of care can be confusing and frustrating.
What does insurance know about treating?
Your insurance company only knows what you and the treating professionals tell them. Make sure they have all information necessary to make decisions that will be of most benefit to you or your loved one. Make no assumptions. Your insurance company is not the enemy – but may be uninformed about your case.
What is a denial in a health department?
Don’t panic when and if you receive the first denial. Typically, a denial is an automatic computer-generated response that requires a “human override.”.
Who makes the first line of decision making about health plan benefits?
The first-line of decision making about health plan benefits is typically made by a utilization review manager or case manager . These managers review the requests for benefits submitted by a healthcare provider and determine whether the patient is entitled to benefits under the patient’s contract.
Can you separate behavioral health insurance?
However, the separation can still exist, and behavioral health coverage may even be contracted out to a separate company under the supervision of the insurer. All of this combines to create a confusing patchwork array of coverage and rules that can make obtaining proper care for your loved one difficult.
Can a college student be covered by school insurance?
Be aware that if the patient is a college student who had to drop out of school to seek treatment and was covered by school insurance or a parent’s insurance policy, the student may no longer be covered if not a full-time student. While many people will continue working or attending school, some cannot .
What does insurance know about treating?
Your insurance company only knows what you and the treating professionals tell them. Make sure they have all information necessary to make decisions that will be most beneficial to you or your loved one. Make no assumptions. Your insurance company is not the enemy – but may be uninformed about your case.
What mental health conditions can coexist with eating disorders?
Other mental conditions often coexist with an eating disorder and should be considered during the assessment, including depression, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, social phobias, and chemical dependence.
What is COBRA insurance?
COBRA is an Act of Congress that allows people who have lost insurance benefits to continue those benefits as long as they pay the full premium and qualify for the program.
What should a customer care representative at an insurance company tell you or your loved one?
A customer care representative at the insurance company should be able to tell you or your loved one what documents need to be submitted to allow another person to act on his/her behalf. Proper eating disorders treatment must address both the psychological and physical aspects of the disorder.
Is mental health covered by insurance?
The passage of mental health parity means that, legally, mental health must be covered on par with physical health. However, the separation can still exist, ...
Can a college student be covered by school insurance?
Be aware that if the patient is a college student who had to drop out of school to seek treatment and was covered by school insurance or a parent’s insurance policy, the student may no longer be covered if not a full-time student. While many people will continue working or attending school, some cannot .
Is it appropriate to step down from eating disorder?
Absence of behaviors – treatment is going well, and it may be appropriate to step down in level of care. Here are some tips to help you obtain the insurance benefits your loved one needs and deserves so that they have the best chance possible to recover from an eating disorder.
Insurance Terms and Definitions
With complicated insurance jargon, navigating a contract, or having a conversation with someone from the insurance company, can be difficult. We have a guide on our website that defines terms commonly used when it comes to insurance. A few are below:
FAQs about Insurance
Questions are common when it comes to insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment. Below are some of the most-asked insurance-related questions that we receive:
What to do if your insurance denies you treatment?
This can be a frightening and chaotic time for the sufferer and family members.It may be helpful to have an attorney work with your insurance company and treatment facility after a denial to seek reimbursement of the benefits available under your policy. If your insurance denies coverage for treatment, legal counsel can only help you recover these ...
What to do after insurance denial?
The appeal process is complicated, but we can help. After a written denial, contact an attorney for guidance. Your appeal letter should read like a cover letter to your insurance company.
Does insurance denial happen every day?
Unfortunately, fighting for your life in recovery, and fighting with your insurance company for access to treatment, often goes hand in hand. These types of tragic insurance denials happen every single day. Often this treatment is essential to the wellbeing – and even survival of the eating disorder sufferer.
Is it easy to recover from eating disorder?
Recovering from an eating disorder is no easy task. The journey is a multilayered and complicated one – full of change, learning, hardships, and setbacks – but absolutely worth every step. In addition to working towards recovery, you might find yourself battling your insurance company for insurance coverage after a denial or an early discharge ...
Do insurance companies violate mental health laws?
Unfortunately, even with this urgent need, insurance companies continue to circumvent the law, viola te mental health parity, and deny access to life-saving treatment.
Where is the eating disorder clinic?
The program is the Eating Disorders Clinic at New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. To ask about the program, call the research assistant at 212-543-5739.
What are the different types of health insurance?
The three major types of health insurance policies are: indemnity, preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Very few people have indemnity policies, but they are usually the most comprehensive and have the greatest flexibility. PPOs are usually much more flexible than HMOs.
What to do if insurance commissioner is not helpful?
If the insurance commissioner is not helpful, the next step is to contact your senators and congressmen and congresswoman. If they aren't helpful, contact the governor. 3. When efforts to obtain care by contacting your legislators and the governor are not effective: Self -help groups may be the answer.
Is a treatment center a mental health center?
It the treatment center is a mental health center, which is funded in part by county, state, or federal funds, you can sometimes ask that appropriate care be provided and sometimes there are personnel at the center who are familiar with the treatment of eating disorders.
Do you have to have insurance to get mental health benefits?
If you have insurance, you may also have mental health benefits. Often these benefits include an amount for hospital or residential treatment and an amount for outpatient treatment as well. Nearly all health policies include major medical benefits, which are typically much greater than the mental health benefits.
Can an employer change insurance companies?
Since the employer pays for the insurance benefits (which can include hiring an intermediary HMO), ultimately (although not immediately), the employer can choose to change insurance companies. 2. Despite your best efforts, your Insurance company and personnel department are not helpful.
Why is eating disorder not treated?
The presence of a comorbid condition such as depression is one of the most common reasons for failed eating disorder treatment, so most insurance companies are more than happy to help make treatments more efficient by addressing every disorder that could impede patient progress.
How many therapy sessions are there for eating disorders?
Most plans offer 12 therapy sessions per calendar year, unless additional treatment is recommended by a health care provider. In the case of an eating disorder, your health care provider may recommend a total rehabilitation program, and the insurance company will provide coverage accordingly.
How long does it take to get treatment for eating disorders?
The most common timeframe for inpatient treatment for someone with an eating disorder is one month. This generally provides enough time for the patient to learn new and healthier habits and coping skills, so he/she can continue treatment at home.
How do you know if you have an eating disorder?
Although a professional consultation is necessary to officially diagnose an eating disorder, there are some common signs and symptoms you can look out for, including: Refusal to eat. Obsessive calorie counting. Secretive eating habits. Periods of binging.
What is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association?
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is one of the most well-known names in the world of health care. Eating disorders are serious issues that affect millions of people each year, so it’s no surprise that the largest insurance companies offer comprehensive care and support to their customers who suffer from eating disorders.
What is the most recognizable health insurance?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is by far the most recognizable name in health insurance, serving millions of patients around the country. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association insurance is accepted by 92 percent of doctors and specialists, making it easy to get affordable care wherever you live in the United States.
How many Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are there?
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association presides over the 37 independently owned Blue Cross Blue Shield companies around the country. Each company works on a local basis, giving Blue Cross Blue Shield customers the benefits of both a large company and a small business. Your local company understands and can work with ...
Does insurance cover eating disorders?
Most insurances have an eating disorders benefit and will typically cover the following Eating Disorder Diagnoses, characterized by “Feeding and Eating Disorders” in the DSM-5: 2.
Does Walden Insurance check your benefits?
At Walden, once a phone intake has been completed, our admissions department will check their benefits at no additional charge to the prospective client. Once benefits have been checked, our intake department will inform the client of any deductibles that they will be responsible for paying out of pocket. The deductible (a specified amount of money that you will be required to pay before an insurance company will begin financial coverage of a claim) varies and is dependent upon your insurance company and your specific plan.
The Cost of Eating Disorders
Nearly 29 million Americans have an eating disorder in their lifetime—5.5 million in any given year—at an annual cost to the healthcare system of $4.6 billion, according to a Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED) report from the National Academy for Eating Disorders.
Get Sicker
When insurers deny coverage for 24-hour residential services or retract it through an ongoing utilization review process, the message to patients is clear: you’re not sick enough for treatment.
Mental Health Parity and Beyond
Shame and fear of future discrimination hold some families back from seeking treatment, as does misinformation, according to Eddington.