Managed Health Network Eating Disorder Coverage

View all insurance carriers

With body image being a huge factor in today’s society, most people are self-conscious about their weight. Many become obsessed with losing weight and becoming thin, resulting in unhealthy habits and over-exercising. Eating disorders involve a person having an unhealthy relationship with weight and food that interferes with their daily activities. They use food as their coping mechanism to deal with uncomfortable emotions and to feel in control of difficult situations.

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) reports that over 11 million Americans are affected by an eating disorder, and social-cultural causes that encourage eating disorders include these:

• Emphasis on being thin to be beautiful
• Indulgence of food
• Media’s role in body image
• Reaction to obesity and larger body sizes

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), people can suffer from three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Patients who suffer from anorexia struggle with self-starvation, resulting in excessive weight loss. Bulimia involves binge eating, self-induced vomiting and over-exercising. Those who suffer from binge eating disorders experience bouts of uncontrolled eating and sporadic diets to lose weight. From the preoccupation with food to the constant fear of weight gain, various psychological and physical indicators are associated with eating disorders.

ANAD explains that individuals who suffer from an eating disorder may experience a multitude of symptoms, including:

• Listlessness
• Lack of concentration
• Mental disorders
• Dizziness
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Tooth enamel erosion
• Cold intolerance
• Loss of hair
• Swelling of the stomach
• Chronic irregular bowel movements

Eating disorders can wreak havoc on both the patient and the family, whether or not the condition is life-threatening. If you want help finding the best rehab facility for you that is covered by Managed Health Network (MHN), please call us today at . We’re available 24/7 to help you.

Does Managed Health Network Cover Eating Disorders Rehab Programs?

Depending on the insurance policy, MHN may cover the full cost of an eating disorder rehab program. If your policy with Managed Health Network does cover eating disorder treatments, then the plan will cover specific services and benefits that fall under the Federal Parity Guidelines. MGN works with individuals to give them a policy that is tailored to their specialized needs and health care requirements. According to MHN, behavioral services may include:

• Counseling and therapist sessions
• Hospital or residential treatments
• Treatment aftercare and follow-up visits
• Crisis intervention

If the patient’s physical and psychological condition is severe enough to be life-threatening, Managed Health Network provides behavioral coverage for inpatient care, outpatient residential care or partial hospitalization. Most behavioral health care professionals recommend patients participate in a combination of eating disorder rehab programs in order to effectively recover from the eating disorder. A behavioral professional will discuss various eating disorder rehab programs with the patient, and MHN will compare the recommended rehab program with the available benefits to determine the total amount of coverage for care.

Inpatient Treatment Length Managed Health Network Will Cover (28-30, 60, 90+ Day)

Eating disorder treatment plans vary, depending on the severity of the diagnosis. According to MHN, patients who fall under the highest level of care will enter either an inpatient psychiatric hospitalization (IP-Psychiatric) or an inpatient medical hospitalization (IP-Medical) program. IP-Psychiatric programs treat patients who are struggling with an eating disorder despite other interventions but do not need constant medical attention. IP-Medical programs treat patients who have starved themselves to the point of physical complications, requiring intravenous feeding and constant medical attention. ANAD explains that potential physical complications that can result from eating disorders include:

• Cardiac arrest
• Thyroid abnormalities
• Gastric rupture
• Kidney complications

The treatment duration required at an inpatient facility relates to the severity of the condition and the recovery process. The inpatient treatment length that Managed Health Network covers depends on the patient’s insurance policy. If you are unsure what your MHN policy covers, we can help you find the confidential answers to all your questions. Call to discuss how to find help in treating eating disorder.

Managed Health Network Coverage for Eating Disorders with Dual Diagnosis

Many patients who suffer from an eating disorder struggle with a secondary diagnosis, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder or a psychiatric disorder. Individuals who have been diagnosed with a dual diagnosis need to enter a rehab program that focuses on healing both of the conditions. Managed Health Network coverage for eating disorders with dual diagnoses varies according to the policy, helping those suffering from multiple mental and/or behavioral conditions:

• Facilitate communication with the treatment providers
• Coordinate care with behavioral and medical professionals
• Develop self-management plans to manage dual diagnosis symptoms

Patients with a dual diagnosis need to obtain integrated dual disorder treatment, requiring a combination of treatments. Effective programs assist patients with developing the skills and support needed to successfully manage both conditions. If you want help finding the best private rehab facility for you, please call us today at .

Specialty Eating Disorder Treatments Using Managed Health Network

Individuals who are suffering from a severe eating disorder may need to look into the specialty eating disorder treatments that are covered by Managed Health Network, including nutritional treatments, medication and psychosocial treatments. A professional nutritionist helps patients maintain a healthy diet while recovering from an eating disorder, minimizing the chances of relapse. Medication is deemed necessary when the patient is struggling with depression or another medical condition, and psychosocial treatment allows patients to relate to others who have overcome similar eating disorders by participating in group settings.

If the health care professional determines that specialty treatment is medically necessary to help the patient successfully recover from an eating disorder, then MHN will cover the services. Recovery from an eating disorder can be an extremely difficult process, and enrolling in the right treatment program is essential. Patients may need the assistance of mental health professionals, doctors and nutritionists, requiring them to enter into a special rehab facility.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

For those who do not have coverage or are attending a rehab facility that is not approved by Managed Health Network, paying for treatment may be difficult. Using Managed Health Network for eating disorder treatment may cover a portion of the payments, but understanding what is covered is key to keeping payments within budget. If you are unsure what your MHN policy covers, we can help you find the confidential answers to all your questions. Call to discuss treatment options.

Individuals who do not have full coverage can see if the facility offers a payment plan they can afford. Most rehab facilities provide specialized treatment financing for affordable care. Individuals who are unable to afford the payments can request financial assistance from a number of nonprofit organizations, including Eating Disorder Anonymous (EDA) and the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

Verifying insurance coverage to find the best treatment program is essential to a successful recovery process. Before choosing a rehab facility, individuals should contact their Managed Health Network representative to verify their eating disorder coverage. Most insurance policies authorize coverage for eating disorder treatments that are deemed to be medically necessary. Individuals can call and request more information on in-network health care professionals who are covered by MHN, and most treatment plans need preauthorization before patients can enroll in the rehab facility’s programs.

Choosing the right eating disorder rehab program should be a top priority because some treatment options are more effective than others. Managed Health Network can provide local facility resources, health care professionals, treatment options, and integrated care for behavioral and medical coverage. If you or your loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, call us today at . We’re available 24/7 to help you.