Using Magellan Health Services for Bulimia Treatment

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Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that affects a large number of teens and adults. Characterized by frequent binging and purging, the condition can lead to shakiness, dental problems, low self-esteem, and other physical and mental health issues. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, up to 4.2 percent of women in the United States will suffer from bulimia nervosa at some point in their lives.

If you have Magellan Health Services, you can use your insurance to pay for at least part of the treatment you need. To find out more about the treatment options available in your area, call us at 24 hours a day for help and support.

Does Magellan Health Services Cover Bulimia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

Before you research the types of programs available to those suffering from bulimia nervosa, it’s important to learn more about the symptoms of the condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of bulimia nervosa include:

• Constant thoughts about body image
• Lack of control over eating
• Unusual eating patterns
• Using enemas, laxatives and other products to lose weight quickly
• Forcing yourself to eat more than you should
• Feeling pain because of the large amounts of food you eat

Magellan Health Services eating disorder coverage includes treatment for bulimia nervosa based on the American Psychological Association’s guidelines. According to Magellan, a combination of appetite-focused dialectical behavior therapy and long-term care is the best treatment for patients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa.

Inpatient Treatment Length Magellan Health Services Will Cover

A survey by Think Progress found that Magellan Health Services requires patients to meet specific guidelines before it will cover treatment. The company requires that patients have a body mass index of 16 or less. The same survey found that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration lists a BMI of 17.5 as a sign of an eating disorder. Some companies require a higher BMI, while others require a much lower BMI.

If you or someone you love has a BMI that meets the criteria for a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, Magellan Heath Services will cover a stay in a residential treatment facility. The length of time that the insurer will cover depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of the disorder. You must also take into consideration the recommendation of your primary care physician. If your doctor recommends a long-term stay in a treatment center, your insurer will usually follow those recommendations. According to the Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide, Magellan covers hospitalization, outpatient care and a combination of the two.

Magellan Health Services Coverage for Bulimia Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis occurs when a patient suffers from another mental health condition or an addiction to drugs or alcohol in addition to the eating disorder. According to a study reported in Psychiatric Times, 31 percent of women diagnosed with bulimia nervosa also have an addiction to drugs. The study found that those women suffered from addictions to prescription drugs, illegal drugs and alcohol in the past. Some of the women surveyed admitted to using and abusing over-the-counter medications, including laxatives and diuretics. Dr. Blake Woodside of the Psychiatric Times believes that women with a dual diagnosis might suffer from a childhood trauma that led to both the drug abuse and the eating disorder.

Magellan Health Services offers the same type of coverage for dual diagnosis treatments as it does for patients with bulimia alone. The type of support and treatment the company offers depends on where you live and what type of coverage you have. Magellan of Louisiana suggests talking to a doctor and attending a 12-step program for help before seeking any type of hospitalization or intense treatment. The company also suggests turning to family and friends for help.

Having a good support system is one of the most important parts of a successful recovery, according to Magellan of Louisiana. If you notice the symptoms of bulimia nervosa or substance abuse in a loved one, talk to that person about seeing a doctor. Only a doctor can diagnosis someone with an eating disorder or an addiction to drugs or alcohol. You can also talk to the doctor about the symptoms and problems you see, which can help the physician make the proper diagnosis.

Knowing and identifying the symptoms of bulimia can help you determine if a loved one suffers from this eating disorder. If you need help learning more about bulimia or a dual diagnosis, you can reach us 24/7 at .

Specialty Bulimia Treatments Using Magellan Health Services

Magellan Health Services did a major study on the best treatments for eating disorders. The insurance company looked at treatments recommended by the APA and found that the use of certain medications, including SSRIs and fluoxetine, can reduce the symptoms of bulimia nervosa. Other effective treatments include psychotherapy, family therapy and appetite-focused dialectical behavior therapy. Appetite-focused dialectical behavior therapy focuses on reducing the patient’s binges and purges and attempts to change the way the person thinks about food. Magellan will also cover some forms of psychotherapy, which strives to teach you better ways to think about food and change your patterns of behavior.

Family therapy is another suitable treatment option for eating disorders. This type of treatment, which can include family, friends and loved ones in the process, can help a patient feel stronger. You can use your loved ones as a support system and have them by your side every step of the way. For more information about the benefits of using Magellan Health Services for eating disorder treatment, call us today.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 0.6 percent of all adults in the United States will suffer from bulimia nervosa at some point in their lives. The organization also found that the condition affects women more often than men and that younger people are more likely to receive a diagnosis than people over the age of 60. The same study found that 43.2 percent of people who suffer from bulimia require lifetime treatment, while less than 16 percent require treatment for one year or less.

You may be concerned about whether your insurance will cover your entire stay in a residential treatment facility. While Magellan Health Services does cover these stays, you might find that it doesn’t cover the full length if you need extended treatment. However, you should not let money hold you back from recovering from your bulimia nervosa and moving on with your life.

If you need help paying for your stay in a treatment center, you have a few different options available to you. You can talk to the treatment center about working out a payment plan, which lets you make payments over time to pay for your stay. Some centers offer a sliding scale payment option that determines the rate you pay based on how much you made in the last year. To find help in treating eating disorder, call our 24/7 helpline today.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Centers

Finding the best treatment centers for bulimia nervosa once required many phone calls and hours of research, but you can now find the best place for you or a loved one in minutes. Our representatives are available every day of the week, and you can even call us on holidays. We can talk with you about your situation, help you understand what bulimia nervosa or a dual diagnosis means, and ensure that you find the right treatment center.

We’ll help you find a center that your Magellan Health Services policy covers, and we’ll even recommend a few different centers based on your needs. Call to get the help you need right away.