Using GEHA Health Plans for Anorexia Treatment

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Anorexia is a complicated eating disorder that can grow more severe and even result in life-threatening complications without proper treatment. When an individual suffers from anorexia, he or she may become obsessed with weight loss, fitness and exercise. In most cases, the person will eat very restricted amounts of food. He or she may also exercise for long periods of time in order to avoid gaining weight.

Other symptoms that may be associated with anorexia include:

• Fear of eating around other people
• Unusual food rituals
• Vague eating patterns
• Keeping a food diary
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Pale appearance
• Loss of menstrual cycle
• Dry or brittle nails
• Mood swings
• Poor sleeping habits

If you suspect that someone close to you may be suffering from anorexia, it is important to seek help as quickly as possible. Ohio State University reports that as many as 4 percent of females may suffer from anorexia. It should be understood that anorexia is not restricted to women, however. Men can also suffer from anorexia. Furthermore, individuals of any age can suffer from anorexia.

It is possible to recover from anorexia. A professional treatment facility specializing in anorexia can provide the help that you or your loved one needs. For help in locating an anorexia treatment facility, please contact us at . We are here around the clock to speak with you. You do not have to begin this journey alone.

Does GEHA Health Plans Cover Anorexia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

In seeking help for anorexia, you may have questions about whether your GEHA health plan will cover treatment. GEHA Health Plan eating disorder coverage can vary based on many different factors. In order to determine whether your plan will pay for anorexia treatment, you will need to consult your specific policy. You may also find it helpful to consult with a benefits administrator to verify specific coverage information.

As part of verifying your coverage through GEHA Health Plans, you will need to determine the specific type of treatment your plan will cover. You should be aware that there are two types of treatment centers for anorexia: inpatient facilities and outpatient facilities. Numerous differences exist between the two types of treatments. It’s important to understand those differences so you can determine which type of facility will be the best match for your needs or those of your loved one.

Patients reside at the facility while receiving inpatient treatment. While it is understandable that patients may find it difficult to be away from their families while in treatment, an inpatient center can provide a number of benefits. One of the most important benefits is the ability to receive around-the-clock care and supervision.

Patients suffering from anorexia may not be able to control their own eating patterns. For this reason, individuals entering anorexia treatment are often quite emaciated and require special medical supervision to help them return to a normal weight. This is a service that is simply not possible in an outpatient facility.

Inpatient facilities also provide a broad array of other services that either may not be offered at an inpatient facility or may only be available on a limited basis. For instance, nutritional counseling can be a critical component of anorexia treatment and may include meal plans customized to your unique needs.

For help in locating an anorexia treatment facility in your area, please contact us at . We can work with you to find help in treating eating disorder that will meet your unique needs or those of your loved one.

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

You will also need to verify the length of treatment time for which you are covered through your GEHA Health Plans policy. While some facilities provide short-term treatment options of 28 to 30 days, other facilities offer treatment options that last two or three months. In some cases, a patient may require an even longer stay in treatment in order to reach full recovery.

It should be understood that anorexia can be quite complex and that each individual is different. As a result, it is difficult to determine how long you or your loved one may need to stay in treatment. According to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, some people with eating disorders may require up to six months of inpatient treatment. It is important to verify that your treatment will not be restricted due to your insurance coverage.

GEHA Health Plans Coverage for Anorexia Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is another important consideration of treatment that should be addressed when evaluating your GEHA Health Plans coverage. Persons suffering from anorexia may also suffer from a variety of other disorders. Such disorders may include depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. When there is another disorder present along with anorexia, it is imperative that you or your family member receives a comprehensive treatment plan that will encompass any and all disorders. It can be difficult to achieve a full and sustained recovery from anorexia without addressing all the issues that are present.

Medications are often necessary in the treatment of other disorders. Antidepressants may be used to treat both anxiety disorders and depression. If you or your family member also has a substance abuse problem, it may be necessary to undergo detoxification before you’re fully ready to address your eating disorder.

Specialty Anorexia Treatment Treatments Using GEHA Health Plans

You should also verify whether your GEHA Health Plans coverage allows for specialty anorexia treatment. Anorexia is a complex disorder that can require intensive treatment from professionals who understand the unique characteristics of the disorder.

A variety of treatments may be used when addressing anorexia. It is important to ensure that you or your loved one receives not only nutritional counseling, but also psychotherapy services. Individual and group counseling can provide you with the opportunity to identify issues that may have led to the development of anorexia. These can be different for every person. As part of your counseling and therapy, you will also learn how to manage stress in a healthy manner in order to avoid triggers that could result in relapse.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

In some instances, insurance may not pay for all of your eating disorder treatment. Even if that is the case, you should know that help is available to assist you or your family member in overcoming anorexia. One option to consider is financing the cost of your treatment through the treatment facility. Many individuals may also qualify for assistance through government or state-operated programs to help pay for anorexia treatment.

If you require assistance in finding a treatment facility to help someone close to you recover from anorexia, we are always available to answer your questions. Please contact us at . We will be happy to help you.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

Verifying your insurance coverage is the first step in identifying the best anorexia treatment program. Once you have determined the level of coverage you have, it will then be important to investigate the options available to you. In choosing the most suitable option for you or your loved one, it is important to focus on finding a program that offers specialized services for the treatment of anorexia. At the same time, you will need to identify a center that can provide dual diagnosis treatment if needed. Call us at with any questions you may have.