FirstCare Eating Disorder Coverage

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If you have FirstCare insurance, you may have questions regarding whether your policy will pay for eating disorder treatment. Eating disorders are more common than you might think. The South Carolina Department of Mental Health reports that as many as 8 million people in the United States may suffer from an eating disorder. While eating disorders are commonly associated with women, it is important to understand that men can suffer from eating disorders as well.

Eating disorders can take on many forms, including bulimia, binge eating disorder and anorexia. If you notice any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone close to you, it is imperative to seek help as quickly as possible:

• Extreme thinness
• Dramatic weight gain or loss
• Secretive eating patterns or rituals
• Severe dehydration
• Chronic constipation
• Paleness
• Frequent sore throats
• Low blood pressure
• Unwillingness to maintain a normal weight

FirstCare, a Texas-based company, offers a variety of different health plans for employers, individuals and federal employees. Each plan offers a series of options for health coverage.

For help in locating an eating disorder treatment in your area, please contact us at . No matter how serious the situation may seem at the moment, finding help in treating eating disorder is always available.

Does FirstCare Cover Eating Disorders Rehab Programs?

In order to determine whether your FirstCare plan covers eating disorder rehab programs, you will need to consult your summary of benefits and coverage. Within this document, you will find important information regarding your specific benefits coverage. You may also wish to contact a FirstCare representative to ask questions regarding the type of benefits offered through your FirstCare policy.

All policies are different and may provide different levels of coverage. It will be particularly important to verify whether your FirstCare plan covers inpatient or outpatient care. While both types of programs offer help for eating disorders, significant differences do exist between the two. Understanding those differences can help you determine the most suitable options for yourself or your loved one.

When you attend an inpatient eating disorder program, you will actually live at the facility. In some cases, you may be able to enjoy a private room. The purpose of living at the facility while you are receiving treatment is to provide you with around-the-clock care and monitoring. This can be a critical element in ensuring a successful recovery, particularly in the early days of your treatment. If you have become emaciated due to your eating disorder or if you are suffering from other health problems as a result of your condition, an inpatient facility can provide you with the intensive medical care you need to achieve a full recovery.

Nonresidential eating disorder facilities provide treatment on an outpatient basis. While this may sound like the easier of the two options, choosing an outpatient program does mean that you will need to exercise greater responsibility at home for your own care or that of your loved one. If you are suffering from a severe eating disorder, this could prove challenging.

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

Verifying the length of treatment your FirstCare plan will cover is also important. This may not be the case with your plan, but some insurance plans restrict the number of weeks or months of inpatient care covered under the policy. Treatment durations can range from as little as one month to three months or even longer. While it is completely understandable that you would want to return home to your family as quickly as possible, it is important to understand that an eating disorder is a serious condition. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reports that the mortality rate for eating disorders is more than 5 percent.

The most important thing to focus on right now is ensuring that you or your loved one receives the necessary help to recover. A treatment facility with staff members trained in handling eating disorders can provide you with the opportunity to regain full health. We are always available to assist you and help you to find an eating disorder facility that is right for you or your loved one. Please do not hesitate to make the call. We can be reached at .

FirstCare Coverage for Eating Disorders With Dual Diagnosis

You should also verify whether your FirstCare plan provides coverage for a dual diagnosis treatment program. Eating disorders do not often occur alone. Many patients suffering from an eating disorder will also experience feelings of loneliness, self-loathing and anxiety. These feelings can represent the presence of other disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Eating disorders and substance abuse may also occur simultaneously.

When a co-occurring disorder is present with an eating disorder, treatment frequently includes education and therapy specific to each disorder. Counseling may be provided to target specific areas of concern. Medications may also be needed in some instances to help patients cope with related disorders, including anxiety and depression. When an addictive disorder or substance abuse issue is also present, it will be necessary to address that issue as well. Through the use of a multidisciplinary approach, you or your loved one will have an improved chance of a successful recovery.

Specialty Eating Disorder Treatments Using FirstCare

In reviewing your options for treatment facilities, you will likely find a wide array of choices available. Even so, it is important to ensure your FirstCare plan will cover treatment in a facility that specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. The dynamics involved in eating disorders can be quite complex and require a customized approach. A team of medical personnel will usually be required and may include a therapist, dietician and physician. The patient’s individual health condition and the severity of his or her disorder will need to be carefully evaluated in order to design a customized treatment plan.

Beyond initial nutritional needs, one of the most important aspects of treatment is the rebuilding of self-esteem and learning how to transform negative thoughts into positive thinking patterns. Individualized therapy can often prove beneficial in this. Unless the facility you choose is able to provide these types of specialized services, your loved one may be at a higher risk for relapse once he or she leaves the facility.

If you need help identifying a treatment facility that provides specialized eating disorder treatment, we will be happy to assist you. We are always available at .

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

Keep in mind that even if you discover your FirstCare plan does not cover the level of care you or your family needs, you are not without options. Obtaining the care necessary to treat an eating disorder is critical. You will usually find that many treatment facilities understand the need to finance the cost of treatment and offer flexible payment options. Depending on your financial situation, you may also qualify for state or government resources to help pay for treatment.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

It is always important to check with FirstCare to verify the level of coverage provided through your policy. Once you have done that, the next step is to choose a treatment facility that is right for you or your loved one. Plenty of options are available to help you receive the professional assistance you need to put your eating disorder behind you. Call us for more details.