Using Texas Children’s Health Plan for Bulimia Treatment

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Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the affected individual may engage in binge eating and then take actions designed to avoid gaining weight, such as vomiting. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reports that as many as 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from eating disorders such as bulimia.

Symptoms of bulimia may include:

• Eating in secret
• Consuming large amounts of food
• Disappearance of food in the home
• Going to the bathroom during or after meals
• Smell of vomit
• Excessive exercising
• Puffy cheeks
• Discolored teeth
• Fluctuations in weight

Texas Children’s Health Plan Bulimia Coverage

Recognizing that your child is suffering from bulimia can be frightening. Resources are available to help you, however. Understanding the coverage for treatment that is available to you is imperative. The Texas Children’s Health Plan was established by Texas Children’s Hospital in 1996. If your family’s annual income is less than the established guidelines, you may be able to qualify for coverage.

Obtaining help as quickly as possible is essential if your child is suffering from bulimia. For help in locating a treatment facility that specializes in bulimia treatment, please call us at . Our caring staff will be happy to speak with you.

Does Texas Children’s Health Plan Cover Bulimia Nervosa Rehab Programs?

The first step involved in understanding whether treatment for bulimia may be covered is to contact a benefits administrator. It is important to keep in mind that various types of bulimia rehabilitation programs, including inpatient and outpatient programs, are available. You will need to find out exactly what level of coverage your family may qualify for.

Those undergoing outpatient treatment will not need to reside at the facility. Your child’s treating physician will typically determine the frequency of visits based on your child’s medical stability. Nutritional consultation, individual therapy and family therapy will be provided. As needed, a specially designed exercise plan may be offered.

Inpatient treatment requires your child to reside at the facility. This type of treatment will usually provide the most intensive level of care and is often a good choice for addressing the medial complications that may arise from eating disorders. At an inpatient facility, medical management is provided along with group, family and individual therapy. In addition, nutritional counseling is provided, and family team meetings are conducted.

Inpatient Treatment Length Texas Children’s Health Plan Will Cover

Another factor to consider in evaluating your coverage under the Texas Children’s Health Plan is length of treatment. The duration of treatment for inpatient programs can be as short as a month or as long as several months. Both 60-day and 90-day programs are common. The severity of the eating disorder and your child’s current medical condition may dictate the length of treatment required.

For help in locating a bulimia treatment facility, contact us at . Regardless of how difficult the situation may seem at the moment, help is available. Please do not hesitate to call us and let us assist you in finding the help in treating an eating disorder.

Texas Children’s Health Plan Coverage for Bulimia Dual Diagnosis

In identifying a treatment program for your child, you may need to find out whether a dual diagnosis treatment program will be covered. The purpose of a dual diagnosis program is to identify any co-occurring disorders that may be present. Individuals with eating disorders such as bulimia may commonly suffer from a variety of other disorders, including depression and anxiety. The patient may also have a substance abuse problem.

Because mental health disorders and chemical dependency problems often occur at the same time, it is imperative that they be treated simultaneously. Addressing all issues at the same time will give your child the best opportunity for continued recovery after leaving the treatment program.

Specialty Bulimia Treatment Treatments Using Texas Children’s Health Plan

Specialty bulimia treatment is essential for optimal recovery, which means that the treatment program you select should specialize in the treatment of bulimia.

The first phase of recovery for many patients is learning to break the binge-and-purge cycle. At the same time, your child will need to learn how to restore normal eating patterns and avoid situations that could trigger binges.

In order to achieve a successful and sustained recovery, your child will need professional assistance in developing an understanding of how the eating disorder developed. Learning to eliminate negative thinking patterns regarding food and weight is critical. Nutritional counseling will assist your child in learning how to eat well and maintain a healthy weight. Counselors will also work with your child to foster an understanding of the benefits of healthy exercising and the dangers associated with over-exercising.

Many patients also need help resolving the emotional issues that led to the development of their eating disorders. Therefore, therapy may focus on underlying depression and anxiety, relationship issues and low self-esteem. Depending upon your child’s needs, medications for the treatment of anxiety and depression may be prescribed.

While in eating disorder treatment, your child will also have the opportunity to interact with others who also have bulimia. Understanding that others share the same experience can pave the path for the development of a strong support network. Families will also usually participate in counseling. Even after an inpatient program has ended, you will need to understand how to support your child’s continued recovery efforts. Attending counseling is the first step in learning how to do so.

If your child has suffered from severe medical complications related to bulimia, those problems will need to be addressed as well. In some cases, this could mean hospitalization. Common adverse effects related to bulimia include:

• Abdominal bloating and pain
• Tooth decay
• Mouth sores
• Weakness and dizziness
• Ruptured esophagus or stomach

A specialized bulimia treatment facility will have the services and staff necessary to address your child’s unique health needs.

How to Cover What Insurance Doesn’t Pay For

In the event that your Texas Children’s Health Plan will not pay for all of the treatment your child needs, it is important to understand that other resources are available. Some facilities offer financing plans to families without insurance or whose insurance coverage falls short of the total treatment required.

If you need assistance in locating a bulimia treatment program in your area, please call us at . It is not too late to reach out and obtain the help your child needs to become healthy once again.

Verify Insurance Coverage and Find the Best Treatment Centers

Verifying your insurance coverage through using Texas Children’s Health Plan for eating disorder treatment is just the first step in finding the help your child requires. After coverage has been verified, you will need to find the treatment facility that will be able to address your child’s specific needs. In determining which type of facility is best for your child, it is important to keep in mind that an inpatient facility will be able to provide continual medical supervision and an intensive array of services. It is also critical that you focus on finding a treatment that specializes in the treatment of bulimia in children and adolescents.

According to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, 95 percent of the individuals who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. Help is available to assist your child in breaking the binging-and-purging cycles associated with bulimia. Call for more information.