Using Cigna for Anorexia Treatment

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Along with most insurance companies, Cigna Insurance Company considers anorexia a behavioral health issue. According to the Maine Health Access Foundation, behavioral health is the connection between our behavior and our health and well-being. Cigna does provide coverage for anorexia and other types of behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety and addiction.

Studies have shown that, when you take a trip to the doctor’s office, 7 out of 10 individuals in the waiting room with you are there to receive care for issues related to behavioral health, such as losing weight or even quitting smoking. Your behavioral health benefits with Cigna may be different than your medical benefits, so it’s important to talk to a Cigna representative to help you understand your options for care and prevent you from ending up with a large medical bill that is not covered under your policy.

Treatment for anorexia may include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy. While there are no medications that treat anorexia directly, if you are suffering from depression as a result of the illness, your physician may prescribe an antidepressant. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may want to admit you to a residential treatment facility, an intensive outpatient program or a partial-hospitalization treatment plan. If you or someone you love has questions concerning the treatment of anorexia, call us at to explore your treatment options.

Does Cigna Cover Anorexia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

Cigna works directly with your physician to ensure you are receiving the best care possible. In order to determine the recommended treatment plan, your physician will look at your past medical history, examine your list of current symptoms, check your vital signs and physical status, and consider any mental health issues you have. Depending on your diagnosis, Cigna may cover a variety of treatments, including a 12-step program, outpatient care, hospitalization and inpatient care.

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

The majority of all anorexia patients can be properly cared for in an outpatient setting; however, inpatient care may be required for some, including:

• Those who require round-the-clock care
• Those in danger of hurting themselves or others
• Those experiencing withdrawal symptoms due to alcohol or drug addiction

More intense care may also be recommended for those who have been receiving outpatient treatment, who are still suffering from eating disorder behaviors, who have medical complications or who are displaying a decreasing level of daily functioning due to the illness. Cigna will pay for a variety of treatment stays, depending on the level of medical necessity.

A Cigna representative is available 24/7 to help you access your coverage information, explain your deductibles and copays, and help choose the right treatment. Call the toll-free number on your Cigna insurance coverage card to find out what treatment options are covered. Make sure you have the social security number of the individual covered under the plan in order to receive the fastest service.

Cigna Coverage for Anorexia Dual Diagnosis

According to statistics from the Journal of American Medical Association, approximately 50 percent of all individuals who suffer from a behavioral health issue also suffer from substance abuse. Because this is so common, a dual diagnosis is needed in order to find the right treatment plan for your eating disorder. The chance of long-term success also increases when your physician identifies potential underlying causes of the anorexia and treats them in conjunction with the eating disorder.

Typically, your physician will recommend a residential substance abuse treatment program that also provides care for mental health issues. With the residential plan, you will first go through detox to eliminate any alcohol or drugs that are still in your system. After this initial stage, you will take part in group meetings and individualized behavioral therapy to help you identify the causes of your addiction and whether or not the eating disorder is a trigger. Cigna can potentially cover all aspects of your treatment while in an in-network facility.

Specialty Anorexia Treatment Treatments Using Cigna

All patients who seek treatment for anorexia and other eating disorders must be assessed for psychiatric disorders and substance abuse disorders. Cigna is also adamant about continuing care or aftercare to help prevent a relapse.

Cigna offers family members and loved ones free educational awareness classes on how to effectively deal with someone who has an eating disorder. These classes include the day-to-day care and complicated issues that might arise. Those close to the person with anorexia will learn how to handle their own frustration and stress and learn how to avoid power struggles over eating habits. They will also learn how to show support and reduce their own feelings of guilt and worry. It’s important for family members to understand that those who suffer from anorexia may be unable to think clearly for themselves and may have a hard time functioning in daily life. You have to learn what signs to look for in order to get the person help as soon as possible.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

If your Cigna insurance policy does not pay for the entire treatment costs for anorexia care, you can also discuss self-help treatment options with your physician. He/she can also provide you with a list of self-help support groups in your area so you can talk to others who are going through the same or similar circumstances. If you prefer not to attend group meetings, you can check with your local library or online for a variety of self-help books on anorexia. Some self-help tips include:

• Always wear comfortable clothes that make you feel good about yourself.
• Avoid weighing yourself. Step on the scale only with your doctor.
• Stay away from magazines that make you feel bad about yourself.
• Take care of yourself and pamper your body with a massage or a manicure. You might also reward yourself with a new scent or body lotion.
• Exercise in moderation and eat healthy foods. Staying active will help you feel better about yourself.

If you require care and your policy does not cover it, you can also discuss payment options with your physician or the treatment center. Many times, as long as you are making a payment every week, your physician will continue treating you in good faith. You may also ask if your treatment facility offers financing. You may be allowed to make a down payment and then continue paying monthly payments for the services once you have returned home.

In some cases, payments are not an option, and you may have to rely on a self-payment method. Self-payment is actually a popular method for covering the cost of care, because many individuals want to keep their treatment private by not filing an insurance claim. You may choose to use a credit card and make payments on your own without leaving an outstanding balance at the treatment center.

There are certain treatments for anorexia that Cigna will not cover. While nutritional counseling is covered by your behavioral benefits, dialectical behavioral therapy for eating disorders is usually not covered, and an internal medicine or primary care physician is usually not covered under your behavioral health benefits. A behavioral specialist must provide treatment.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

Most treatments for anorexia require preauthorization before Cigna will pay. This includes all hospitalizations, residential treatment programs, partial hospitalizations and intensive outpatient services. It is also important that you understand the difference between in-network and out-of-network physicians. If you receive treatment from a physician or treatment center that is in-network, you will pay less out of your own pocket for your treatment, and there will be little to no paperwork for you to fill out. You can also rest assured that if you choose an in-network doctor you will always get the very best care from a fully licensed professional who meets Cigna’s strict quality guidelines.

If your physician is not listed on Cigna’s network, you can still choose to use him/her, but the services may not be covered. If you need help locating an anorexia treatment program near you, call us at .