Using Medical Mutual for Eating Disorder Treatment

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With a 75-year history, Medical Mutual is both the oldest and the largest insurance company in Ohio. It offers multiple coverage plans for a variety of physical and mental health issues in addition to a strong preventative care program.

Medical Mutual Coverage for Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating disorders affect 24 million people in the United States alone, a figure that is mostly comprised of women. These disorders often lead to severe and life-threatening conditions, and most of them develop by giving you a false sense of control over your body’s need for and consumption of food.

If you or a loved one is suffering an eating disorder, call our toll-free hotline at . Our friendly representatives are available 24/7 to speak with you about treatment options and eating disorder coverage through Medical Mutual.

Some of the most common eating disorders include:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder
• Eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS)

Will Medical Mutual Cover Eating Disorder Treatment?

Medical Mutual offers a variety of treatment options to its customers. As long as you have coverage under one of the company’s standard plans, you can expect the same coverage for your eating disorder. Additionally, the company offers extensive preventative care measures that can help prevent serious medical issues before they take hold of your life.

The major types of plans offered by Medical Mutual include copay plans, health savings accounts (HSAs), the Value Plus plan and short-term coverage. Copay plans are by far the most common both for Medical Mutual and for the general insurance market. It is generally a good idea to get coverage for eating disorder treatment through your copay plan with Medical Mutual, because this type of plan allows you to pay a set percentage of your overall bill for each treatment while Medical Mutual covers the rest.

How Much Will Eating Disorder Treatment Cost?

Eating disorder treatment can cost up to $100,000 per person, so having a reliable insurance policy is essential to being able to afford the treatment you need. Although cost varies from one facility to another, the rates are generally standard for certain types of treatment. Medical Mutual offers generous coverage through its copay plans, which only require customers to pay a $30 for a standard office visit. Although inpatient care and more complex procedures generally cost significantly more, the out-of-pocket amount you will have to pay is capped at $2,500 for in-network healthcare providers. This means that you can count on a set amount of expense regardless of how extensive your chosen treatment option may be. Being able to plan with a set amount is one of the main reasons so many people choose to get health insurance through a company like Medical Mutual.

All mental health services are included within Medical Mutual’s standard coverage policy. The company has a good reputation for recognizing the importance of mental health to a patient’s overall health and well-being. Eating disorders have some of the most obvious physical consequences of any mental health issue, causing sufferers to be severely underweight and develop risk for esophageal cancer and other serious health issues. Malnutrition alone can cause a myriad of medical problems, so Medical Mutual goes out of its way to provide patients with the important treatment options and coverage they need to recover from their eating disorders.

A major factor in the cost of any eating disorder treatment is your chosen provider. Medical Mutual works with a wide network of physicians and treatment facilities, so make sure your chosen provider is within the network to ensure maximum cost reduction. Insurance premiums are a way of spreading out the cost of medical care and keeping your payments predictable while saving you thousands of dollars over the long-term. Far too many people go into debt to pay for medical procedures because they failed to plan accordingly and seek coverage through a reliable provider.

Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment vs. Outpatient Services

Inpatient treatment services are commonly recommended for people who suffer from eating disorders. An inpatient treatment center is staffed with medical professionals who work various shifts, ensuring there is always someone available when you need support or care. In many centers, each patient gets a private room and has access to a variety of services within the facility. Some luxury inpatient treatment centers offer relaxing spa-like environments that are designed to reduce stress and make the recovery process as easy as possible. Although only 35 percent of those who wind up seeking treatment for an eating disorder actually seek help through a licensed eating disorder treatment facility, the recovery rates for those who do are significant.

An outpatient treatment center offers many of the same services that an inpatient treatment center does, but it generally does so in a clinical or hospital setting. These centers tend to have a no-frills atmosphere, and they are much more affordable simply because the care is not as exhaustive. You will usually attend treatment at an outpatient center for a specified amount of time each day or week and then return home to put what you have learned to practice. Outpatient clinics are staffed with licensed medical professionals, and one of the most common forms of outpatient treatment is therapy. Although you may go to inpatient treatment facilities during the early stages of your recovery, it is not uncommon to continue treatment on an outpatient basis once your condition is stabilized. For more information on finding and choosing an outpatient or inpatient center near you, call our helpline at .

The biggest difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment is intensity. Both forms of treatment use the same types of therapies and strategies to help you overcome the dysfunctional behaviors and attitudes behind your eating disorder. In both cases, you can benefit from the support of trained medical professionals with years of experience coaching people through recovery from eating disorders. The major advantage that inpatient treatment has over outpatient treatment is that inpatient services are more concentrated. At an inpatient treatment facility, you will be surrounded around the clock with medical professionals and support from fellow patients. Inpatient treatment gives you the chance to completely immerse yourself in a healing environment and remove yourself from the stresses of daily life that can trigger a relapse. Because eating disorders are so intrinsically linked to environmental factors, such as stress and competition, having the chance to reset your behavior in an environment that is completely different from what you have been used to can be just the fresh start you need to recover.

Dual Diagnosis Eating Disorder Therapy

More than 50 percent of those who have an eating disorder also have clinical depression or another severe mental illness. About 90 percent of those with an eating disorder are female, and women are known to have a significantly higher rate of depression than men. Any underlying condition can easily trigger dysfunctional eating behavior and lead to an eating disorder, but the relationship between eating disorders and other mental health issues is often multidirectional. The condition of having more than one eating disorder or one in conjunction with another form of mental illness is known as comorbidity. Comorbid illnesses that are common to eating disorders include obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other mood and personality disorders.

Most eating disorders manifest during the teenage years, along with many different mental health issues. In fact, anorexia nervosa is the leading cause of death among teenage girls. Adolescence is a time when people are particularly vulnerable to low self-esteem, and societal pressures can often turn regular dieting into a serious disorder.

If you believe that you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of extreme dieting and other symptoms associated with eating disorders, it is never too early to get help. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening conditions that you can’t simply grow out of. Professional help and intervention is needed to help you reset your disordered perception of food and revert your body to a normal weight. For more information on eating disorders and dual diagnoses, call our toll-free helpline at . We are standing by 24/7 to take your call and connect you with the information on how to find help in treating an eating disorder.

Insurance vs. Private Pay for Eating Disorder Options

Paying out of pocket for eating disorder treatment is prohibitively expensive for many of those who would otherwise seek treatment. In fact, high costs are one of the leading causes for untreated eating disorders. As many as 20 percent of those diagnosed with anorexia nervosa alone will die as a result of severe complications from the disorder. This tragic figure is even more shocking when you consider the fact that death from anorexia and other eating disorders can be prevented with timely intervention and treatment.

Although private pay is always an option, seeking coverage through a major insurance provider is generally the most affordable way to obtain the care you need. Medical Mutual has more than 75 years of offering high-quality services to its customers in the Ohio area and beyond. As long as you work with a network provider, you can expect to pay significantly less than you would out of pocket. Insurance companies are able to translate those lowered prices to their customers, collecting a monthly premium and copay. You will likely have to contribute a copay or a percentage of the bill for each service you receive. Insurance makes it possible to know exactly what amount you will be responsible for before you seek treatment.

If you would like more information about paying for eating disorder treatment, call our toll-free number at any time, day or night. We have a team of friendly representatives who can provide you with the support and information you need to make an informed decision about your eating disorder care. Medical Mutual can be a great option for those looking for affordable eating disorder treatment coverage, and the sooner you get started on the recovery process, the better your chances are of long-term success.