Using MultiPlan for Anorexia Treatment

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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and mental illness that puts millions of lives at risk each year. As many as 20 percent of those who suffer from anorexia nervosa go untreated and eventually die from conditions associated with the disorder. MultiPlan is the healthcare industry’s most comprehensive provider of health care cost management solutions, offering services to more than 68 million consumers across the country. The company works with communities in Wisconsin and the Southwest, although they also offer nationwide PPO services.

Does MultiPlan Cover Anorexia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

One of the diagnostic criteria for the eating disorder anorexia is that you restrict your caloric intake to the point where you lose at least 15 percent of your body weight. Although about 90 percent of people with eating disorders are female, both males and females can suffer from the disorder. In addition to the wealth of information about eating disorders offered on the company website, MultiPlan also offers generous coverage for rehabilitation services for anorexia nervosa and other related behavioral health-related disorders.

MultiPlan has a wide network of nearly 900,000 providers, many of which offer the behavioral counseling services needed for anorexia recovery. Although rehabilitation coverage varies from individual to individual, it is a known service that the plan covers. To find out if your MultiPlan insurance coverage includes the anorexia nervosa rehab program you have chosen, it is best to consult with a representative from MultiPlan. Thorough documentation is usually required to justify coverage for treatment facilities along with an official medical diagnosis of the disorder.

Inpatient Treatment Length MultiPlan Will Cover

One-month treatment plans are by far the most common length for inpatient anorexia nervosa treatment at a residential care facility. MultiPlan covers a variety of treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, but individual coverage is dependent upon your circumstances, including physical status, treatment plan and insurance policy. If you have recently been diagnosed with an eating disorder and you need a major change to put your new behavioral plan into action, hospitalization or inpatient treatment might be warranted. Initially, a shorter treatment length of 30 days will likely be recommended. If your initial treatment stay is not successful or your condition is more severe than average, a longer treatment of 60 or 90 days may be recommended by your physician.

The length of treatment that MultiPlan will cover depends upon your doctor’s recommendation and whether MultiPlan deems the duration to be medically necessary. It is necessary to keep a thorough record to document the need behind an inpatient treatment stay. Many people recover successfully through outpatient treatment, but inpatient treatment can provide the dramatic change in environment and daily life that is necessary for others to recover. Most insurers will agree to cover the shortest length of treatment initially and reserve judgment for additional coverage until that treatment has produced results. If you would like more information on standard inpatient care, call our hotline at .

MultiPlan Coverage for Anorexia Dual Diagnosis

MultiPlan covers a range of health issues, including the various mental health conditions that commonly occur with anorexia. Although anorexia nervosa alone is difficult enough to deal with, many sufferers also face another eating disorder or a completely different mental health issue.

Underlying and undiagnosed mental health problems can exacerbate the anxiety behind anorexia nervosa. Many people turn to disordered eating patterns as a way to control their weight because they feel they are out of control in the rest of their lives. Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder feature many of the same thought patterns and ideas of control through unhealthy compulsions and obsessions as anorexia. In fact, some studies have shown that roughly 41 percent of those with eating disorders also show signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Most insurance providers understand that the presence of secondary conditions affects your ability to recover from anorexia and will provide treatment accordingly. MultiPlan has a particularly good reputation for providing comprehensive coverage to its patients around the country, so it is a good idea to work with your health care provider to get the care you need for all your relevant mental health issues. For more information on seeking treatment with a dual diagnosis, call our toll-free helpline at .

Specialty Anorexia Treatment Treatments Using MultiPlan

MultiPlan works through a variety of specialty networks to provide its patients with the most comprehensive care available. MultiPlan also makes allowance for out-of-network providers of additional treatment options. Many of the newly discovered forms of treatment for anorexia nervosa are unconventional yet clinically effective. MultiPlan lets patients see out-of-network providers at a somewhat higher cost as long as the treatments fall within its guidelines for coverage.

Some popular specialty treatments for anorexia include:

• Group therapy
• Luxury rehabilitation centers
• Acupuncture therapy
• Sports therapy
• Interpersonal therapy

It is believed that relaxation can help ease some of the anxiety that lies beneath eating disorders like anorexia, so it is no surprise that relaxation techniques and activities have found their way into the world of eating disorder treatment. Whether or not these treatments are covered by your MultiPlan provider depends upon the recommendation of your physician and your regional policies.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

When insurance won’t cover a particular therapy or treatment at your chosen facility, there are other options available. Before you take out loans to pay for treatment, consider working with a facility that offers medical scholarships. Because anorexia is such a serious and life-threatening issue, there are numerous funds set up around the country that are intended specifically to help deserving individuals receive the treatment they need. These scholarship programs may be as simple to get as filling out an application online, but some require intensive applications and recommendations from a medical provider.

Many treatment programs, particularly those that are offered through hospitals, offer payment plans for patients who are unable to provide upfront payment out of pocket. Payment plans work by spreading out one large payment into manageable monthly chunks, making it possible to receive services upfront and pay for them over time. Since eating disorder treatment is so expensive, it is not uncommon for people to pay for treatment on a monthly basis.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Programs

When you have insurance coverage through MultiPlan, it is relatively easy to find help in treating eating disorder in your area simply because of the company’s extensive network of providers. The important thing when seeking coverage for any treatment through insurance is to verify your coverage before you make any final decisions. Even routine treatments can vary in coverage policies from one region to another, so it is essential to speak with your MultiPlan agent to ensure you have all the up-to-date coverage information you need.

Even with treatment, only 60 percent of anorexics make a full recovery, so the sooner you seek care the better. The last thing you want to have to worry about when dealing with an eating disorder is paying for treatment that you thought was covered by your insurance plan. Monthly copays can be costly enough on their own.

Finding the best treatment program for an eating disorder like anorexia is simple when you are aware of the details of your coverage. However, there are still things you want to watch out for when choosing a particular treatment facility. Make sure to find an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program with physicians you trust and can work with throughout your recovery. Some facilities offer better long-term support systems than others, so it is important to speak with previous patients and current staff members before you make a decision.

If you would like more information on choosing a treatment option through your MultiPlan policy, call our toll-free helpline at . We are available 24/7 to take your call and provide you with the guidance and information you need to get started on your eating disorder recovery.