Using GEHA Health Plans for Bulimia Treatment

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GEHA is the second-largest health insurance plan for federal employees and their dependents in the United States. The company has been around since 1937, when it was called the Railway Mail Hospital Association. Although GEHA began to provide medical care for employees of the railway mail service, it evolved into the comprehensive federal healthcare provider that it is today. The company covers a variety of health and wellness services, ranging from preventative care to inpatient treatment. GEHA has a strong mental health and wellness coverage policy, so you can expect to receive generous coverage for bulimia treatment.

Does GEHA Health Plans Cover Bulimia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

Although GEHA Health Plans offers very comprehensive coverage for a variety of mental health issues, including bulimia, preauthorization is required before you can receive coverage. This process is typically as simple as working with an in-network physician who can document your case in an acceptable manner to the insurance company. All mental health services require this preauthorization process, so it is important to keep regular communication with your insurance company while seeking treatment. Enrolling in a treatment program without consulting GEHA could result in a lapse in coverage. Preauthorization protocols for inpatient and intensive care are generally more rigorous than outpatient care.

Bulimia nervosa is a serious condition that can be life-threatening without treatment. Between 5 and 15 percent of adult women manifest symptoms of the disorder at some point in their lives. It can be difficult to realize you have a problem until the eating disorder has seriously progressed. The following include some major signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Broken teeth and dental issues
• Ulcers
• Periods of consuming excessive amounts of food
• Preoccupation with weight and appearance

If you notice any of these serious signs in yourself or in a loved one, seek help immediately. Bulimia can lead to grave long-term complications and other health issues. Call our toll-free helpline at for more information today.

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

The length of treatment your GEHA plan will cover depends entirely upon your individual situation. The most common length of inpatient treatment for any mental disorder, including bulimia nervosa, is 30 days. For more severe cases, 60- and 90-day treatment stays are not unheard of. Inpatient care is by far the most intensive way you can treat an eating disorder as it allows you to completely immerse yourself in a wellness-oriented environment. GEHA Health Plans requires stringent preauthorization before they will approve any inpatient treatment stay. In general, most insurance companies will approve an initial treatment length and wait for results before making a decision about a prolonged hospital stay.

GEHA Health Plans Coverage for Bulimia Dual Diagnosis

It is common for eating disorders like bulimia nervosa to occur along with another eating disorder or mental health problem. Many of the same underlying causes behind eating disorders also contribute to other serious mental health disorders, making it difficult to distinguish where symptoms come from. GEHA Health Plans offers comprehensive services for mental health and wellness, including preventative care. The best way to manage your risk of a dual diagnosis alongside bulimia is to stay on top of your general health and receive regular checkups. When you maintain communication with your primary care physician about your symptoms, it is easier to notice patterns and determine which symptoms are related to a condition other than your bulimia.

As many as 50 percent of people who have an eating disorder also report symptoms of clinical depression. Clinical depression is a serious mental health issue in which you experience a period of depression lasting longer than three months. The presence of a secondary illness like depression can exacerbate the symptoms of bulimia, making it difficult to recover without treatment. It is important to discuss your secondary condition with your doctor so arrangements can be made to treat both illnesses as effectively as possible.

If you would like help seeking treatment for bulimia or a comorbid condition, call . We have specialists standing by all day and night to connect you with information and resources.

Specialty Bulimia Treatment Treatments Using GEHA Health Plans

Specialty bulimia treatments include any treatment that falls outside the range of what is considered common for bulimia. Many luxury treatment centers are considered special programs, since they offer additional services on top of the traditional rehabilitation format. It is difficult to get insurance to cover these types of specialty programs because you have to be able to demonstrate that the cost is outweighed by the potential medical benefits of treatment.

Other specialty treatments that are more commonly covered by insurance include recreational therapy and other forms of relaxation care, including massage and acupuncture. A major part in determining whether GEHA Health Plans will cover your chosen specialty treatment option is whether it is offered through an in-network provider or not.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

If your GEHA Health Plans insurance does not cover a particular treatment or facility, you may have to think outside the box to pay for care. Many people go into debt to pay for eating disorder treatment, which can total up to $100,000 between inpatient and outpatient care. A better option is to work out a payment plan with your chosen facility, breaking up the treatment costs into easy-to-manage installations over time. If your provider is unwilling to accept a payment plan, you may be able to apply for a line of credit. Many facilities offer an in-house credit application that is easier to get approval for than most other forms of credit. These credit lines are specifically for use with medical procedures, such as bulimia inpatient treatment.

Financial aid is available at most hospitals to provide care to those who would not otherwise be able to afford it. Insurance lets you make payments in a predictable and manageable format through premiums, copays, and coinsurance. However, many hospitals will offer a lower rate to uninsured patients because they understand how prohibitive the costs of health care can be to those seeking life-saving treatment. There are even grants and waivers set up to reduce or eliminate treatment costs for anyone below a certain income level. Even if you do not fall below this level, it may be possible to secure financial aid for medical treatment through these programs as long as you can prove that you have significant medical and life expenses that will cause financial hardship.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Centers

Insurance coverage by using GEHA Health Plans for eating disorder treatment is some of the best on the market for federal employees, retirees, and their dependents. The system is well-organized and maintained with an extensive provider network that allows you to find physicians in nearly any specialty. In-network care costs are generally manageable, making the eating disorder treatment process far less expensive than it would be if you were uninsured. Although the final decision on what will and won’t be covered by your GEHA plan depends upon a variety of factors, including your physician’s acceptance of the plan and your medical history and diagnosis, receiving treatment for a well-documented disorder like bulimia is usually a fairly straightforward process.

If you or a loved one is suffering from bulimia nervosa or another related condition, call . Our toll-free helpline is open 24/7 to provide you with the support and quality information you need. Eating disorders are the deadliest form of mental illness, claiming the lives of 20 percent of those who suffer from them. The mortality rate for bulimia alone is 3.9 percent. The most tragic element of that statistic is the fact that death from an eating disorder is completely preventable with timely treatment intervention. Call today and get started on the journey to wellness.