Affording & Paying For Eating Disorder Treatment

Deciding on Treatment

Medical care is expensive and treatment for behavioral health issues is no exception. Because eating disorders rarely resolve on their own, treatment is usually recommended. Most people start with outpatient therapy, which often proves highly effective. If not, inpatient eating disorder treatment centers are always an option.

Treatment options include:

  • Outpatient Treatment – Least restrictive, treatment provided by a team of a therapist, nutritionist, and physician.
  • Intensive Outpatient – Treatments typically occur within a facility with a team approach of counseling, nutritional therapy, and more.
  • Inpatient or Residential Treatment – Generally involving a stay at a hospital at a treatment center or hospital, this level of care offers continual care.

Eating Disorder Treatment Payment Options

We know quality care is very costly, but want to provide a ray of hope. Certain treatment centers offer scholarships or utilize a sliding scale when charging patients. Also, some insurance plans cover some, if not all, treatment. It is even possible to garner free eating disorder treatment from Mercy Ministries, or significant scholarship funds for treatment from the Kirsten Haglund Foundation, Manna Scholarship Fund and Eating Disorder Recovery, Inc.

Important organizations, such as the Eating Disorders Coalition, are constantly working to improve the responsiveness of insurance carriers by introducing Health Parity laws to congress.

Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder are serious conditions that need to be treated appropriately.

Remember…eating disorders treatment can mean the difference between life and death for a child, friend, sister or spouse. You have many avenues to explore when it comes to the financial aspect of treatment.

Articles on Affording and Paying for Treatment

  • Recovering from an eating disorder is a very difficult undertaking, and the sufferer needs all the help they can get. This is why it is frustrating that a person has to not only fight the eating disorder, but also fight the insurance companies for declining much needed treatment.

 

Page Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 11, 2013
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com, Eating Disorder Help Resources