Using COBRA for Anorexia Treatment

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The South Carolina Department of Mental Health reports that almost 50 percent of all Americans know someone who is suffering from an eating disorder. Anorexia is a psychiatric disorder in which an individual has a distorted body image and may have a fear of gaining weight. In order to avoid weight gain, he or she may exercise too much or refuse to eat.

If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has anorexia, it is important to seek help as quickly as possible. It is natural to be concerned about paying for treatment. Individuals with COBRA coverage may wonder if their anorexia treatment will be covered.

First, it is important to understand that COBRA is not actually an insurance policy. COBRA refers to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985. Under this law, most employers who have group health insurance plans are required to offer employees the chance to continue their health care coverage under their employer’s plan temporarily in the case of a qualifying event. A covered employee typically must be given the opportunity to continue his/her coverage if it would otherwise end due to layoff, termination, or some other type of change in employment status.

Does COBRA Cover Anorexia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

When determining whether your COBRA insurance coverage will pay for anorexia nervosa rehab programs, it is important to understand that beneficiaries must be provided with coverage that is identical to that which is available to beneficiaries who are not receiving COBRA under the plan. Consequently, whether an anorexia rehab program would be covered under a COBRA-related plan would depend on the specific plan.

If you are not certain whether anorexia treatment is covered under your plan, it is a good idea to contact your benefits administrator. If you need help locating an anorexia treatment program, please do not hesitate to call us at . No matter how serious your situation may seem, it is never too late to get the help you or your loved one need.

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

There are many different types of anorexia treatment programs available. Typically, the two main types of treatment are inpatient and outpatient care. The main difference between these two types of programs is that patients actually reside at the facility for inpatient treatment. This provides the opportunity for a much more intensive level of care. In inpatient programs, patients benefit from around-the-clock care. As a result, highly trained medical professionals are able to carefully monitor the patient’s progress.

During outpatient treatment, patients do not reside at the treatment facility. Instead, they come to the facility at regularly scheduled times to receive treatment. In this type of approach to treatment, patients are able to live at home and continue with their regular daily activities. Although this may seem convenient, an outpatient program is usually unable to provide the intensive care that many patients with anorexia need to achieve a successful and sustained recovery.

One of the important points to consider when evaluating your coverage is the length of treatment that your COBRA plan will cover. The shortest treatment program is about one month. Other programs may last 60 days, 90 days, or more. It is essential that you check with your benefits administrator to determine the duration of treatment that your plan will cover. Bear in mind that in severe cases of anorexia, a longer duration of treatment may be necessary for the most optimal outcome.

For help locating a specialist in the treatment of anorexia, call us at . We are available 24 hours per day to talk with you on how to find help in treating eating disorder problems.

COBRA Coverage for Anorexia Dual Diagnosis

Many individuals suffering from anorexia may benefit from a program that provides dual diagnosis care. Patients with anorexia often suffer from concurrent disorders, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse. In some instances, anorexia may develop first and become complicated by other disorders. On the other hand, some patients may suffer from a disorder such as depression first and later develop anorexia.

Currently, researchers are not certain as to the precise cause of anorexia. Medical experts have found that a variety of factors often work together to result in an eating disorder, including:

• Emotional stress or severe trauma
• A cultural environment in which a high value is placed on thinness
• A tendency toward perfection
• A family history of eating disorders

Regardless of which disorder develops first, it is imperative that patients receive access to a dual-diagnosis treatment facility. Without proper diagnosis, patients suffering from other disorders in addition to anorexia may find it difficult to address the issues that originally led to their anorexia and achieve a sustained recovery.

Due to the interrelation that exists between anorexia and other disorders, many facilities provide dual diagnosis care. Even so, when searching for a treatment program for yourself or your loved one, it is important to verify that the facility offers dual diagnosis treatment.

Specialty Anorexia Treatment Treatments Using COBRA

Specialty treatment is often a critical component in recovering successfully from anorexia. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reports that the mortality rate for this condition is 4 percent. Without proper treatment, anorexia can lead to a number of serious symptoms, including:

• Anemia
• Muscle wasting and weakness
• Heart damage
• Brain damage
• Infertility
• Multi-organ failure
• Lethargy
• Severe constipation
• Low blood pressure

Specialty treatment for anorexia often uses a multipronged approach that includes nutritional counseling, medical care, medication, and therapy. Treatment plans are often customized to the specific needs of each patient. In severe cases, for example, it may be necessary for patients to be hospitalized so they can receive proper care and monitoring.

As part of treatment, the facility will work with the patient to develop a healthy eating plan with the goal of restoring him/her to a healthy weight. In addition, the program will treat the psychological issues that may be related to the eating disorder. Patients will also learn how to reduce thoughts or behaviors that may have originally led to extreme dieting in order to prevent relapse in the future. Treatment will focus on helping patients develop coping mechanisms that can assist them with avoiding triggers in the future.

Depending on the needs of the patient, medications may also be prescribed. Such medications may include antidepressants. Various forms of group, individual, and family-based therapy may also be used in treatment.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

If your COBRA coverage does not pay for the level of treatment that you need or your loved one needs, it is important to understand that other options may be available to you. For example, many rehab programs offer special financing programs for patients who do not have insurance coverage. You may also find that you are eligible for state-covered benefits.

For help in locating an anorexia treatment facility, please call us at . We are available 24/7 to help you.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

Verifying your level of insurance coverage is an important first step in locating an anorexia treatment facility. Once coverage has been verified, the next step is to identify a treatment program that meets your needs. When choosing a rehab program, keep in mind that it is important to focus on finding a facility that can identify all disorders and provide a comprehensive treatment plan. Outpatient programs may provide the convenience of living at home; however, an inpatient facility will usually have the staff and resources necessary to help patients recover in a supportive environment. To learn more about the benefits of using Cobra for eating disorder treatment, call us today.

If you’d like more information on obtaining anorexia treatment through your COBRA coverage, please call us today at .