Using Medical Mutual for Anorexia Treatment

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Since its founding in the early 1930s, Medical Mutual has been one of America’s leading providers of affordable life and health insurance. Today, the company serves more than 1.5 million customers, from individuals and their families to employers and their staffs. With a wide range of health care insurance and Medicare plans, Medical Mutual can cover the high costs of treatment options for a low monthly premium.

Medical Mutual Anorexia Coverage

Anorexia nervosa, more commonly known as just anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by a persistent and intense desire to lose weight or maintain an unhealthily low weight and an irrational fear of weight gain. People suffering from this disease often have low self-esteem, commonly become emaciated and, in severe or prolonged cases, may even prematurely die as a direct result of the disease. If you have Medical Mutual, anorexia nervosa treatment options may be covered under your policy.

The first step in treating anorexia is identifying the problem. If you believe you or a loved one may be struggling with anorexia, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these symptoms:

• Excessive or compulsive exercise
• Reluctance to eat
• Deliberate fasting for the purpose of weight loss
• Prolonged dieting
• Absent menstruation in women
• Hair loss
• Extreme fear of weight gain

According to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. About one in every five people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die as a direct result of its complications, and only about 30 to 40 percent ever fully recover. The earlier one identifies the symptoms of anorexia and seeks help, the higher chance he/she has of making a full recovery.

If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from anorexia nervosa, please don’t hesitate to call us at . We are available 24/7 to assist you.

Does Medical Mutual Cover Anorexia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

There are two types of rehabilitation programs for treating eating disorders such as anorexia: inpatient and outpatient. Depending on the level of coverage of your Medical Mutual health insurance, Medical Mutual may cover the costs of both.

Inpatient programs require the patient to check into an appropriate rehab facility and remain there for the duration of treatment. As a result, inpatient programs can offer many benefits that outpatient programs lack, such as 24-hour care from nursing staff, longer and more intensive therapy sessions, and a recovery free from the stress of normal everyday life. Medical Mutual can help pay the cost of your room and board and the cost of a skilled nursing staff if you choose inpatient care.

However, since inpatient care can take several months, during which time the patient cannot return home or attend school or work, it may not be right for everyone. This is where outpatient programs come in. Those enrolled in outpatient programs usually must check into a rehab facility once a day — except weekends and holidays — for medication and counseling. Though not as intensive as inpatient care, this kind of treatment allows patients the freedom to continue their normal lives. Medical Mutual can help pay the cost of many outpatient program services, including diagnostic testing, occupational therapy and cardiac therapy. Note that some coverage plans requires a deductible to be met before benefits can begin.

If you need assistance choosing the right program or finding help in treating eating disorder for your needs, please contact us at . Advisors are always ready to help you.

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

Inpatient treatment programs can last as short as 28 days or as long as 90 days or more depending on the condition of the patient. Medical Mutual will cover your inpatient services for as long as required for treatment, but some services offered by inpatient programs may be subject to frequency restrictions. There may also be a limit to the coverage of services per benefits period. It’s important to check your specific health insurance plan so you are not surprised later by such restrictions.

Medical Mutual Coverage for Anorexia Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is often a vital component of anorexia nervosa treatment. In severe or prolonged cases, it’s not uncommon for patients to suffer other related conditions, including anxiety, depression or bulimia nervosa — an eating disorder characterized by a cycle of binge eating and purging through vomiting or the use of laxatives. In order to achieve a full recovery, it’s important for patients suffering from anorexia to be checked and treated for these other conditions.

For help determining what your health insurance covers and finding an integrated treatment facility that can best accommodate you or a loved one, please contact us at .

Specialty Anorexia Treatments Using Medical Mutual

Specialty anorexia nervosa treatment addresses a patient’s physical and psychological conditions and offers everything needed for a full, healthy recovery. First, the patient must be restored to a healthy weight, and his/her unhealthy diet must be replaced by a healthy one. In severe cases, where the patient is dehydrated or malnourished, this means hospitalizing him/her and providing close, constant monitoring. Urgent care visits for this purpose are covered under certain Medical Mutual policies.

Second, the patient must undergo treatment for any psychological conditions related to anorexia, including depression, which can involve individual or group therapy sessions or medications. There are currently no medications available for specifically treating anorexia, but medications such as antidepressants will be prescribed when necessary. Medical Mutual will usually cover the cost of any prescription medicine deemed necessary.

Thirdly, patients must undergo therapy to reduce or eliminate harmful behavioral and cognitive patterns. The goal of such therapy is to ensure patients can maintain a healthy lifestyle once they check out. Part of this therapy will involve learning how to avoid potential triggers that could restart poor eating habits. Depending on the health plan, Medical Mutual offers coverage for several types of therapy.

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, only about 10 percent of people who suffer from an eating disorder receive treatment, and only 35 percent of people who receive treatment do so at a specialized rehab facility. This is due in large part to the high costs of specialized treatment, but Medical Mutual can help.

For helping finding a facility that can provide specialty care for you or a loved one, please call us at today. We are standing by 24/7 to assist you.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

It’s important not to let the cost of medical care get in the way of getting the eating disorder treatment you or a loved one needs. In the event your health insurance does not fully cover the treatment you need, you may need to consider alternative methods of payment. Patients can talk to their rehab facility about financing options or seek help from charities such as local churches or nonprofit organizations.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

Before enrolling in any treatment program, it’s imperative to verify your level of insurance coverage. To do this, you can call the number on your insurance card to speak with a Medical Mutual representative.

Once you’ve verified your level of insurance coverage, you can find the best treatment program for you, with services tailored to your needs and backed by Medical Mutual’s extensive coverage. For help finding the best treatment programs and rehabilitation facilities for you or a loved one, please contact us at . It’s never too late to overcome anorexia and start living a full, healthy lifestyle.