Using LifeSynch for Eating Disorder Treatment

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Eating disorders have become a rising health concern among medical professionals in recent years, and insurance companies like LifeSynch have begun to offer more coverage for various types of treatments. The devastating effects of eating disorders go way beyond a distorted body image. People who suffer from an eating disorder may also develop hypotension, hypothermia, endocrine disorders, electrolyte imbalance, kidney failure and other serious health conditions. The longer the eating disorder goes untreated, the more serious these health conditions become.

The most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. In some cases, a person suffers from more than one type of eating disorder simultaneously and may also have comorbid conditions such as depression or anxiety. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 0.6 percent of adults in the US suffer from anorexia, 1.0 percent are bulimic and 2.8 percent have a binge eating disorder.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from an eating disorder, we can help you find treatment immediately. Give us a call today at to discuss treatment options. We are open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

Using LifeSynch for Eating Disorder Treatment

It is essential that you or your loved one who suffers from an eating disorder seek treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, an eating disorder can cause serious damage to the sufferer’s body organs and can even lead to fatal consequences. Extensive therapy and other forms of treatments that are needed for successful recovery may be inaccessible for many patients.

Fortunately, insurance providers such as LifeSynch provide coverage for various types of treatments that have proven to be efficient in helping patients recover from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders. Some of the most common of these treatments are:

• Individual and group therapy
• Family therapy
• Psychological intervention
• Nutritional rehabilitation
• Pharmacotherapy
• Self-help programs

Does LifeSynch Cover Eating Disorders Rehab Programs?

LifeSynch is a division of Humana, which specializes in behavioral health treatments and programs to help people suffering from eating disorders and substance abuse, alcohol abuse or other illnesses. The company takes a holistic approach to treatment, focusing on the patient as a whole person and not just on the symptoms of eating disorder. This company has an integrated medical-behavioral health care program that brings together medical case managers with behavioral health clinicians in order to successfully treat eating disorders. This program includes treatment for both medical and behavioral conditions to ensure the most successful results.

While LifeSynch will cover at least some of your treatment costs, the exact coverage amount will depend on your specific insurance policy, the types of treatment you are seeking and the severity of the eating disorder. To find out exactly what is covered under your plan, review your insurance policy or call LifeSynch directly.

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

Receiving treatment for anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder is possible both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Inpatient treatment facilities provide a place to sleep and eat while you receive treatment. You’ll be looked after at all times, and your health condition will be monitored frequently. Inpatient treatment is usually necessary for patients with severe forms of eating disorders and is also suitable for those who need extra help to stay in recovery and avoid relapse. Outpatient services are provided during the day, and the patient will return home at night. While this is a good form of treatment for someone who has been in treatment for a while, outpatient treatment isn’t always suitable for someone seeking treatment for the first time.

LifeSynch eating disorder coverage has six different levels of care. Each level has very detailed criteria for admission, continued stay and discharge that are strictly adhered to. The levels are:

• Self-help or social services
• Routine outpatient
• Intensive outpatient
• Partial hospitalization
• Residential treatment
• Acute-inpatient care

LifeSych usually covers inpatient treatment for three to 30 days, and a doctor’s note is needed to extend that treatment duration. LifeSynch will typically cover up to 20 outpatient treatment visits. Up to 10 more visits can be covered if found to be medically necessary. However, the specifics of both inpatient and outpatient treatments vary from one insurance policy to another. In some cases, if you need more time at an inpatient treatment facility, you’ll have to pay for it yourself or apply for government assistance. Some treatment facilities will provide you with payment plans to help cover the costs. Review your policy for specific details about the extent of your coverage.

LifeSynch Coverage for Eating Disorders With Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is the condition of suffering simultaneously from an eating disorder and a substance abuse or mental health disorder. A 2006 study conducted on patients with eating disorders showed that more than half of the participants also had at least one other type of disorder, including mood, depression, anxiety, impulse-control and substance abuse disorders. Dual diagnosis is another reason LifeSynch maintains that a holistic approach to eating disorder treatments works best.

In order to recover from an eating disorder, the sufferer must be treated for any co-occurring disorders simultaneously, which could lengthen the treatment duration and costs. Fortunately, because LifeSynch favors holistic approaches, it will cover treatments for eating disorders with dual diagnoses in most cases.

Specialty Eating Disorder Treatments Using LifeSynch

Medical specialists have different opinions on what is the best form of treatment for people with eating disorders and other similar medical conditions. LifeSynch doesn’t believe in cookie-cutter approaches to treatment and instead encourages treatment plans that are tailored to the specific needs of patients as individuals. The company will help you or your loved one obtain comprehensive services in a managed behavioral health program that includes utilization management, coordinated care, patient assessment and more.

LifeSynch employs behavioral health care advocates who work side by side with medical case managers to monitor the patient’s progress throughout the whole duration of the treatment period. Patient assessments are carried out throughout the treatment program at various intervals to determine if the treatment is successful or changes need to be made. Additional services provided to patients battling eating disorders include:

• Coaching, education and goal-setting
• Family support
• Member outreach by a specialized team of professionals
• Analysis and screening tools to monitor treatment progress

If you have any questions about these types of services, we can help you. Call us immediately at . There is no reason to wait. Get your questions answered right away, and get started on the path to finding help in treating eating disorder today.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

In some cases, your eating disorder treatments and therapies won’t be covered by insurance. You will receive an adverse determination letter from a LifeSynch physician if the care you are requesting does not meet the criteria for coverage. In this case, you can appeal the decision in writing or orally within 180 days of receiving the letter. You can expect to receive a resolution on your appeal within 30 calendar days. You can also file an expedited appeal for emergency care situations, in which case, you should receive a verdict within 72 hours. For more details on the appeal process, visit LifeSynch’s website or call any of the company’s offices.

Another option to obtain coverage for costs that your insurance company won’t pay for is to seek government aid, apply for a loan or opt for a payment plan. Don’t let the momentary lack of funds get in the way of your long-term recovery from an eating disorder. If you aren’t sure where to turn, we would be happy to help you. Call us right now at . We can discuss your options and get you on the path to health and wellness.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

The best way to find out exactly what your insurance covers is to read your policy or simply give your insurance company a call. Some insurance companies, such as LifeSynch, have online authorization tools that make it easy for you to verify insurance coverage for things like inpatient and outpatient care and related services, therapy, counseling, nutritional therapy, psychological testing and concurrent routine outpatient services. This simple-to-use online authorization tool can be found on the LifeSynch Provider Portal. While on the LifeSynch website, you can also search for in-network eating disorder treatment facilities.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the most common forms of treatment for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder are psychotherapy, medication and nutritional therapy. The association also recommends supportive interventions such as yoga, massage, art and movement therapy. These services can be provided in both an inpatient treatment facility and an outpatient facility.

With the wide range of options available to people with eating disorders, you may feel overwhelmed when choosing a suitable program. During the selection process, consider the severity of the eating disorder. A person who is in a life-threatening situation should be hospitalized or treated in a residential facility. A person whose eating disorder hasn’t progressed too far may be successfully treated in an outpatient treatment facility. Another thing to consider is insurance coverage. Choose treatment centers that accept your insurance or provide payment options if/when insurance coverage runs out.

If you feel this is an emergency situation and you don’t have time to use the LifeSynch authorization tool or research treatment centers, dial immediately. One of our caring representatives will be at the other end of the line ready to assist you and answer any of your concerns. Whether you need to determine what type of insurance coverage you have or decide on the best treatment facility in the LifeSynch network for your needs, we’re here to help. Give us a call.