Has anyone ever thought about the possibility of “treatment loans” or financial aide for those suffering from e.d.s?

There is a huge population of people with e.d.s that aren’t able to pursue more intensive treatment due to financial issues. 
It seems like the only ones that are “lucky” enough to receive inpatient or residential treatment are those with either great insurance or those on disability.
That leaves out so many individuals!  They may be employed and working hard just to survive…but because they have “crappy” insurance, they are out of luck for receiving the care they NEED!

The system isn’t fair!  And it needs to change!

Treatment should be available to EVERYONE regardless of money!

There are all kinds of student loans/financial aide opportunities available for anyone wanting to “better” themselves through higher education.

Yet when it comes to the struggle to STAY ALIVE, money matters.

I have a friend who died because she wasn’t allowed to do residential treatment…due to insurance.

Why is this acceptable?

IT’S NOT!

NO ONE should be turned away when it comes to receiving mental health or medical care.

So why isn’t there more being done to save these lives?

(I know the EP cares)!

i agree!!! currently i am struggling to figure out how to afford IDP because my insurance will not cover it. its very frustrating that i finally am ready to seriously pursue more intenstive treatment and am unable to do so due to no insurance coverage!! ahhh!

I am also unable to pursue any higher level of care because of my insurance. And there is no way I could ever take on the debt of paying out of pocket for anything. This has severely limited my care and I think it has prolonged my eating disorder. (maybe not, maybe I’d be the way I am no matter what treatment I had received, but it sure would have been nice to be able to access care). Sadly, I don’t see it changing any time soon.

There are a couple of web sites you can check out that are supposed to help with the cost of treatment. they are usually listed at the Gurze books website…www.bulimia.com somewhere near the bottom of the page. Keep digging, I’m sure they are on there someplace.

We agree, this is a very, very frustrating problem. Another one of the organizations that is trying to work on these issues at the federal level is the Eating Disorders Coalition. They don’t provide treatment scholarships, but they are fighting extremely hard for fairness in insurance coverage for people with eating disorders, especially in the atmosphere of health care reform. We can make a difference if we all work together and keep trying. I would encourage you to check out their website and their Family and Friends Action Council (FAC). You can join the FAC and share your voices and stories with other people fighting for better access to care.
Their website is http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org/index.htm

Thank you emily’s voice.  I signed up for the Eating Disorder Coalition due to your information.  That sounds like a very positive advocate.  I know the EP really cares!

There does seem to be soooo many sufferers from e.d.s unable to receive necessary treatment.

I am sure we all know people who have died while “hopefully” waiting for HELP.

Residential treatment is outragiously expensive. 

Has the EP ever considered attempting to “reduce” their fees for the AWH?

I know personally that my insurance will cover some residential treatment facilities, but will only cover half of the AWH. 

I have NEVER understood why e.d. residential treatment is sooo incredibly expensive!

I do “see” that the AWH, for example, employs numerous staff members (about 30) for the mere 8 residents.  Does that seem excessive?

I am happy for those who are able to receive treatment!  And I apologize for my excessive complaining/concerns!

It is just VERY VERY frustrating to NEED help and not be able to receive it!

I just really WANT insurance reform so that ALL people needing treatment CAN receive treatment!

I completely agree
But in my own experience
it is even more frustrating how insurance works for people with eds
I mean I am very fortunate to be 19 and still covered by my parents blue cross blue sheild fedral
but even with this very good insurance it is a struggle to recieve treatment
I have been at Rogers Residential twice and both times the insurence company cut me off as soon as I hit my maintance weight
and if anyone knows anything about eds they would know that just being the correct weight for your height does not cure you
if they would just pay for the treatment we need the first time they would probably spend less money in the long run
cause im on my way to the anna westin house for my third residential stay in the last 2 years

when will we get the sufficiant coverage we need?

Thanks for your questions, Tiger. We agree that it is phenomonally frustrating how much insurance can many times dictate treatment setting or length of stay. We are all for reform that helps people access benefits that they have in ways that are most helpful. We will stay involved with the EDC and other groups to help make that the new reality.

As for your cost questions, they are valid and understandable. What I can say is that the cost of delivering care is high in our current health care environment, hence the cost of the program here and elsewhere. We always try to balance delivering high quality, comprehensive care that we believe works well and meets the needs of clients with being fiscally responsible and aware of the financial burden on individuals.

Much of the issue stems from having eating disorders fall under mental health benefits on insurance plans, because many of the challenges that people face with accessing adequate benefits stem from strict insurance limitations on mental health coverage. While there are certainly some instances of people with and without eating disorders being denied coverage of services that fall under medical benefits, those situations seem much less frequent than mental health related denials. If mental health were truly embraced as just as important as medical health, or better yet, our health care system could conceptualize the mind, body, & spirit as interconnected, then we wouldn’t have to have such deep divides between what gets covered by separate sections of the insurance code.

Let’s keep using our voices to change the world! We can do it.

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