Using First Health Network for Eating Disorder Treatment

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According to a study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, only 1 in 10 individuals with eating disorders get treatment, and of those who are treated, only 35 percent get treatment at a facility that specializes in treating eating disorders.

If you or your loved one is suffering from an eating disorder or noticing warning signs that such a disorder might develop, please give us a call at so we can assist you in seeking proper treatment immediately. Most eating disorders are progressive conditions, and they will only worsen with time. So call us now – we are here 24 hours a day to assist you.

Using First Health Network for Eating Disorder Treatment

First Health Network is a preferred provider organization, or PPO, with a large network of participating hospitals, clinics, facilities and health care professionals. Coverage for the treatment of mental and behavioral health issues, including eating disorders, will depend on your specific policy, the type of treatment sought and your patient condition as determined by a proper medical assessment. Please call us at if you have any questions about insurance coverage or ways to seek treatment.

Research by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders concluded that 5 to 10 percent of anorexics die within 10 years after developing symptoms of the disease, 18 to 20 percent will be deceased after 20 years, and only 30 to 40 percent fully recover. Early intervention is critical, so do not hesitate to seek treatment today.

Will First Health Network Cover Eating Disorder Treatment?

As one of the largest PPOs in the country, First Health Network offers a variety of coverage options for eating disorder treatments, from in-network care at one of the participating facilities to out-of-network care at a facility of your choosing, for which coverage can be negotiated. Such negotiations can take place only after a medical assessment and a consultation with your team of health care professionals. As with most insurance providers, care beyond routine outpatient treatment for a mental health or behavioral health issue such as an eating disorder will only be covered after this initial evaluation. There are a variety of symptoms and warning signs of eating disorders of which you should be aware and for which you should seek medical attention if present.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms or warning signs that you or your loved one may be suffering from an eating disorder include:

• Obsessive concern with weight or seeming fat. Among one of the most telling signs that you or your loved is suffering from an eating disorder is an obsessive concern about weight and physical appearance or a fear of seeming fat.
• Weight below the minimum healthy amount. This is the physical consequence of the conditions above and can lead to serious medical complications involving organ failure, heart damage and even death. However, not all patients suffering from eating disorders develop this condition; some maintain normal weight or are overweight.
• Dehydration, fatigue and vomiting. When the digestive system is put under stress through lack of proper nutrition, the physical symptoms to the entire body can be severe and lead to further complications.
• Excessive exercise routines or habits. Because of their obsession with body image, those suffering from eating disorders often become maniacal about their exercising habits, making an already weakened body more vulnerable.
• Absence of a period for three cycles. Because of lack of nutrition, the body cannot function properly, and in women, the absence of menstrual cycles is one of many serious medical conditions that develop as a consequence of eating disorders.

First Health Network insurance coverage features a group of participating behavioral health facilities that are covered under specific plans. The complexities of such coverage may be overwhelming, and if you need help choosing a treatment that will best suit your financial situation, you can call a First Health Network caseworker. Alternatively, you can call us at . We are available 24/7. Do not let questions about coverage prevent you from seeking treatment. Call us now.

How Much Will Eating Disorder Treatment Cost?

According to The New York Times, residential or inpatient treatment costs $30,000 a month on average, and only part of this is covered by most insurance plans. Depending on the seriousness of the condition, past therapy and responses to current treatment, patients may require inpatient treatment for up to three months.

However, other, less expensive, options are also available. According to the Chicago Tribune, family-based or at-home treatment for adolescents suffering from specific eating disorders was more effective than individual therapy. Such therapy is less expensive because family members participate in the treatment process under the guidance of a professional therapist. This is an option to consider as full treatment or subsequent treatment after a stay in a residential facility.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, many other options for treatment are available if inpatient treatment is not adequately covered by insurance or is otherwise financially unfeasible. These treatments may vary in cost and offer options for you to address burning issues and work out a treatment plan through First Health Network that is best suited to your needs.

These treatments include:

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Nutritional counseling
• Medical treatment
• Hospital care
• Outpatient treatment

Please do not hesitate to give us a call at to set up the treatment you need now. Our helpline is staffed around the clock to answer your questions and address your concerns on how to find help in treating eating disorder.

Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment vs. Outpatient Services

The choice between inpatient and outpatient treatment will depend on a variety of factors. The decision can only be fully examined once you have decided to seek treatment by giving us a call or seeking an assessment from a physician or registered dietitian. The quicker you do this, the better your chances of successfully overcoming your condition. As with any serious illness, intervention at an early stage is critical.

The best treatment often involves professionals from various fields. Usually, patients require more than one specific type of treatment depending on the severity of their disorders and how well they respond to treatment. These treatment options also may range from simple educational interventions geared toward enlightening the patient about nutritional options and the managing of symptoms to the more intensive treatment provided by residential facilities.

Many individuals often are first treated on an outpatient basis. If outpatient care proves ineffective, patients can seek other treatment options, which may include other types of therapy or an inpatient program. Outpatient services often involve a variety of health professionals, including a physician, dietitian and therapist. Such services may also involve family members to help monitor, educate and care for the patient undergoing treatment.

Inpatient treatment is usually reserved for more severe cases that require care at a residential facility that provides clinical care 24/7. Inpatient treatment also include individual and group therapy sessions and workshops that offer patients a wide variety of educational materials to help them better understand eating disorders and the tools available to overcome them. Such care can often last several months, but most inpatient programs offer treatments in which a patient can step up or step down on treatment levels according to patient condition and response to treatment.

Because of cost and insurance coverage, most patients who are first seeking treatment will undergo some version of outpatient treatment. In fact, most residential or inpatient treatment programs will not take in patients unless they have sought some type of outpatient treatment previously. Exceptions are allowed depending on the severity of the patient’s condition.

If you have any questions about the differences in treatment programs, please call us today at .

Dual Diagnosis Eating Disorder Therapy

Among the most serious cases of eating disorders are those in which patients also suffer from co-occurring conditions such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In such cases, treatment for the specific eating disorder has to be conducted in combination with treatment for the other comorbid disorder or disease. This kind of dual diagnosis is best treated by specialized health care professionals who are equipped to address not only the eating disorder but also any comorbid conditions that accompany it.

Among the most common dual diagnoses is an eating disorder and OCD; as with other dual diagnoses, patients often benefit most from treatment in an inpatient facility. Before any treatment begins, patients need to be fully assessed in regard to each individual condition, and any treatment plan must take into account both the specific eating disorder and the OCD.

Another common dual diagnosis is a specific eating disorder such as anorexia and bulimia with drug or alcohol abuse. Such a diagnosis very often necessitates detoxification of the patient before any treatment can properly begin. After detox, such patients should seek treatments geared toward dual diagnoses for best results. Addressing only one condition leaves the patient very vulnerable to relapse.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for all types of dual diagnosis. Each case has to be addressed individually, taking into account comorbidity, patient history and previous treatment. If you have concerns that you or your loved one may suffer from more than just an eating disorder and need to find proper treatment, call us at . We will help you find the best treatment options.

Insurance vs. Private Pay for Eating Disorder Options

Treatment for eating disorders can be both costly and long-term. Your decision for seeking treatment, however, should not be affected by concerns about how to cover costs for treatment that insurance doesn’t pay for. Procrastination and using excuses to not seek treatment will only worsen your condition. Please call us at so you can begin the healing process; we are here to help, and that includes helping you find ways to pay for any treatments that First Health Network may not cover.

Various foundations offer financial assistance for eating disorder treatment, and federal organizations can also assist you in obtaining funds. Many treatment facilities are also open to setting up payment plans. While you should work closely with a First Health Network caseworker to get the paperwork straight and obtain as much coverage as your policy offers for your required treatment, your number one priority should be remaining open to treatment. Call us at for more information.