Using Assurant Health for Bulimia Treatment

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Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder that causes an individual to consume a lot of food at one time, known as binging, and then purge the food by vomiting or using laxatives. The individual may also try to avoid weight gain by over-exercising. People with this disorder often experience a preoccupation with their body image and weight. While many people with this condition are able to maintain a normal body weight, it can lead to a number of serious nutritional deficiencies if not treated and can cause life-threatening complications. If you have Assurant Health, bulimia treatment may be covered under your policy.

If you believe that you or someone you care about may suffer from bulimia, it is important to recognize the symptoms. Symptoms of this disorder include:

• Exercising for hours at a time


• Binging on high-carbohydrate foods


• Excusing oneself to go to the bathroom during meals


• Experiencing guilt or shame from eating


• Dehydration


• Damaged tooth enamel


• Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation


• Mouth sores


• Depression

According to the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders, as many as 24 million people in the United States suffer from some type of eating disorder. If you believe that you or someone close to you may have bulimia nervosa, it is imperative that you seek help right away. Please contact us at for assistance in locating a rehab program specializing in bulimia treatment in your area.

Does Assurant Health Cover Bulimia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

One of the most common concerns that many people have regarding rehab programs for bulimia nervosa is whether or not their insurance will pay for it. You may be surprised to find that your insurance policy will cover treatment for a range of rehab programs, including care for bulimia nervosa. It is important to check your specific policy and find out what may be covered.

There are typically two different types of rehabilitation centers that treat bulimia. They are inpatient and outpatient. An inpatient rehab program is typically for patients who require a higher level of supervised care. In this type of program, patients reside at the center for a pre-determined amount of time. As a result, they are able to benefit from around-the-clock care. During this time, patients are able to work on their recovery with counselors and medical staff members who have received specialized training in treating bulimia. In addition to 24-hour care, patients are able to benefit from being removed from the stress associated with daily life as they focus solely on their recovery. An inpatient setting also provides staff members with the ability to more closely and easily monitor a patient’s progress.

In an outpatient facility, patients are able to leave the facility at the end of each treatment session. Treatment sessions may last only a few hours or an entire day. While patients enrolled in outpatient programs may be able to continue with their normal routine, this type of program does not offer care that is as focused as that of an inpatient program.

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

In determining the level of care your Assurant Health insurance policy will cover, it is important to consider the length of treatment. Inpatient programs often vary in length from a month-long stay to 60 days or even 90 or more days. The length of your treatment will affect cost, so it is important to clarify the length of treatment beforehand.

Assurant Health Coverage for Bulimia Dual Diagnosis

Another important thing to determine is whether a dual diagnosis exists and, if so, what kind of coverage is offered for dual diagnosis treatment. It is not uncommon for individuals with bulimia to also suffer from other conditions as well, including depression. In order for patients to have an optimal opportunity for successful recovery, it is imperative that treatment centers provide a comprehensive assessment to identify and diagnose other conditions. This includes the presence of substance abuse.

For help in locating a treatment program that offers dual diagnosis treatment, please call us at . We are always available to assist you.

Specialty Bulimia Treatment Treatments Using Assurant Health

The goal of specialty bulimia treatment is to provide patients with all the tools needed for a healthy recovery. This will often include the provision of adequate nutrition and guiding patients to stop purging behaviors and excessive exercise. In addition, the center may also provide other specific forms of treatment, such as psychotherapy and medication.

Cognitive behavior therapy is also often an important part of treatment. In this type of treatment, the patient will learn how to identify unhealthy thinking patterns and learn how to change negative or inaccurate beliefs and relate to others in ways that are more positive. Treatments are tailored specifically to the needs of each patient. In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized in order to be treated for health issues created by malnutrition. This may be especially true if the patient is severely underweight or dehydrated.

One of the most important elements of treatment is breaking the binge-and-purge cycle. Patients will need to learn how to monitor their own eating habits while also avoiding situations that could trigger binging in the future. At the same time, it will be necessary for patients to develop methods for coping with stress that do not involve food.

Treatment will also focus on changing unhealthy patterns and thoughts. This includes identifying and changing dysfunctional beliefs regarding dieting, weight, and body shape. Finally, patients will receive help in resolving emotional issues that may have led to the development of bulimia in the first place. Such therapies may focus on underlying depression and anxiety disorders, relationship issues, feelings of loneliness and isolation, and low self-esteem.

Medications, such as antidepressants, may prove to be helpful in treating patients with bulimia. The goal of such medications is to resolve anxiety and mood disorder symptoms that sometimes occur with bulimia nervosa.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

In the event that your insurance policy does not pay for part or all of your treatment, it is important to understand how to pay for necessary care. According to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders, such as bulimia, actually receive treatment. It is imperative to understand that cost should not stand in the way of receiving the treatment you or your loved one needs. The South Carolina Department of Mental Health further reports that people suffering from eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any group of people suffering from mental illness.

If your insurance policy does not cover all of the treatment of eating disorder required for you or your loved one, check with the rehab program to find out if any type of financing programs are available.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Centers

Once you have verified your level of insurance coverage, the next step is to identify a treatment center. In determining which type of treatment center is right for you or your loved one, consider whether an inpatient or outpatient facility will meet your needs. Remember that while an outpatient facility will allow you to live at home, it may not be able to provide the level of intensive care that may be required for successful recovery. In addition, consider the length of treatment. It is completely natural for patients to want to return home as soon as possible. Even so, successful treatment may require a minimum of a 30-day stay in a rehab center. In more severe cases, patients may need at least a 90-day stay to overcome past behaviors and develop the skills necessary to maintain a sustained recovery upon leaving the treatment center. If you’re finding help in treating eating disorder issues, call our helpline today.

Keep in mind that eating disorders can lead to kidney and heart problems and, in severe cases, even death. Obtaining professional help and treatment early is critical to a successful recovery. Please do not hesitate to contact us at for help locating a bulimia rehab program. Regardless of how long you or your loved one has suffered from bulimia, it is never too late to change the situation and begin the path to a healthy, new life. It is possible to overcome bulimia nervosa. Call now for more information.