Using ValueOptions for Anorexia Treatment

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The eating disorder anorexia is a serious mental illness that affects anywhere between 1 and 5 percent of women and adolescent girls, with an average age of onset of 17. Many of those with this life-threatening condition never seek treatment.

ValueOptions Anorexia Coverage

ValueOptions is the largest independent behavioral health and wellness insurance provider in the country, specializing in the management of all mental health and wellness services. From chemical dependency to eating disorders, ValueOptions is a one-stop solution for employers and consumers seeking reliable mental health coverage. All solutions offered through the company are clinically approved and cost-effective, making it easy for anyone to have access to affordable mental health treatment.

Does ValueOptions Cover Anorexia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

ValueOptions follows the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines for the treatment of all mental illnesses, which includes eating disorders. Depending on the patient’s needs and the recommendations of their primary care physician, ValueOptions covers a range of treatment programs, from intensive outpatient anorexia nervosa treatment and therapy to residential rehabilitation. Inpatient programs comprise a variety of services, which include:

• Nutritional counseling
• Family therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Follow-up evaluations

No matter which forms of treatment you and your healthcare provider settle on, getting treated is the best way to ensure recovery from anorexia. If you would like more information on this difficult but lifesaving process, call . The number is toll-free, and we are available 24/7 to speak with you about your health care options for eating disorders as well as general behavioral health and mental wellness.

Inpatient Treatment Length ValueOptions Will Cover (28-30, 60, 90+ Day)

ValueOptions acknowledges that inpatient programs are clinically proven to be especially effective in the treatment of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. While ValueOptions eating disorder coverage does provide inpatient treatment coverage, patient access to these facilities is largely limited by geographic location. Many areas simply do not have inpatient facilities dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders, so accessing inpatient treatment can be more of an issue than getting coverage through ValueOptions. The company has a good reputation for approving coverage of such treatment programs when they are available, although the length of treatment it will cover varies from one individual case to another.

A month-long stay at an inpatient treatment center is a general minimum, but it is not uncommon to see stays of 60 and up to 90 days. These longer inpatient treatment lengths are generally reserved for those with particularly severe or life-threatening conditions. Anorexia itself can lead to a variety of potentially fatal conditions, including:

• Heart disease
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Extreme weight loss
• Other organ failure

One of the most serious issues facing long-term anorexics is a significant decrease in body fat. The human body requires a certain amount of fat to function normally. Anorexics see all fat as a negative addition to their body, and the disorder prevents them from giving their body the balanced diet of fats, proteins and other nutrients it needs to survive. Twenty percent of those with the disorder stay so seriously underweight that their lives are constantly at risk. Many of those who do seek treatment only make a partial recovery.

ValueOptions Coverage for Anorexia Dual Diagnosis

Unfortunately, many of those who deal with anorexia nervosa also have to deal with a secondary condition, which is often another eating disorder. It is not uncommon for someone to have both bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. The behaviors associated with each condition may alternate or present simultaneously, making it harder to diagnose each eating disorder. If you alternate between periods of binging and purging and total starvation or excessive exercise, the chances are high that you may have more than one eating disorder. The presence of two or more conditions is known as dual diagnosis or comorbidity.

A recent academic study found that as many as 41 percent of respondents with an eating disorder also reported obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is believed that many of the behavioral patterns and neurochemical balances that characterize obsessive-compulsive disorder are the same ones behind the desire to obsessively control and manage your intake of food. Some researchers even believe that eating disorders are a subcategory of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

ValueOptions provides comprehensive coverage for mental health issues, including eating disorders and the other conditions that commonly accompany them. For more information on the conditions that are commonly associated with anorexia nervosa, call our toll-free number at .

Specialty Anorexia Treatment Treatments Using ValueOptions

ValueOptions guidelines report that specialty treatments are not readily available in all geographic areas, but they do make accommodations for patients to receive such treatments under the recommendation of a physician. Regular documentation of the patient’s medical condition by a physician is generally sufficient to warrant coverage for such treatments, although travel expenses may be incurred. Additionally, the cost of specialty treatment can be prohibitive depending on what your ValueOptions plan covers as well as your copay amount.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

Although ValueOptions provides some of the most comprehensive mental health coverage on the insurance market, there are still things your plan may not pay for. Eating disorders and their treatment are as unique as the people who have them, so a treatment that works for one person may not be common enough to qualify for coverage under a major health care plan.

Medical treatments, especially those recommended for eating disorders, can be prohibitively expensive. If there is a treatment you can’t afford to pay for yourself, there are various ways in which you can manage to afford treatment even without insurance. Eating disorder treatment costs as much as $100,000 per year, so finding and utilizing these alternative options of payment and coverage is essential.

The easiest way to get treatment that you can’t afford the out-of-pocket cost for is to ask your chosen facility if they have any scholarship programs available. There are numerous charitable organizations and trust funds set up to help those who want treatment but are unable to afford it. These programs usually require some form of medical documentation as well as an application, so it is important to stay on top of deadlines and apply early if your chosen treatment is time sensitive.

Another way to afford costly eating disorder treatment not covered by using ValueOptions for eating disorder treatment is to apply for a credit line. There are credit cards specifically designed for use with medical treatments, but these cards come with interest rates that vary according to your credit rating.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

When making the final considerations about treatment for anorexia nervosa, it is important to balance cost and convenience with effectiveness. Although inpatient treatments can be cost prohibitive and difficult to access depending on where you live, making the effort to find the right program can produce significant dividends. Inpatient therapy and other intensive forms of anorexia nervosa treatment are some of the most effective, and it often takes a drastic change to bring about the perspective shift you need to start recovery. The behavioral patterns and mindsets of an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa can take years to form, so being strategic about treatment is the best way to utilize your time.

If you or a loved one is suffering from anorexia, it is never too late to seek help. Call our toll-free helpline at for more information on how to verify insurance coverage and find the most appropriate treatment programs in your area. Our representatives are available 24/7 whether you want to learn more about anorexia treatment through ValueOptions or simply speak with someone who can guide you on taking the next step toward recovery.