It is definitely a difficult process to find a way to afford treatment. Some things discussed in this article that can help you to figure out how you can pay for it.
Have you decided your kind of treatment?
Are you ready to make your next step into recover?
Then visit our Treatment Finder to help you get started in finding treatment.
Not every country has the same health care plans or same way of providing them. So if you live in a country which provides national health care not all things mentioned here are applicable to you.
These days many insurance companies have started to cover not only the physical health care but also for mental health care. Previously, these types of mental health covering is not available in many countries.
But going on increase in the percentage of depressed people this insurance came into existence.
On the first step you have to call your insurance company and ask there policy booklet. As this will help you to know how your plans work in providing mental health care. HMO plans will require that you go to your Primary Care Physician first, and from there you can get a referral to a therapist. Some therapists will take your insurance directly, only requiring you to make your co-payment at each visit. A number of therapists may be willing to put off accepting payment, or make payment requirements minimal, until your insurance company begins to reimburse you.
If you decide on not involving in PCP. You should contact your insurance company on how they go about covering for therapy appointments outside of the care of your PCP, through reimbursement or co-payments, and if this is an option for you.
If you are in need of immediate health care, your insurance will cover your rehabilitation related to your eating disorder. If you do not have medical insurance or your income is low you should contact Social Services about applying for Medicare/Medicade.
Note that no one can get denied of their basic standard hospital care regardless of their ability to pay or not. It is against the government rule.
Here is a short list of just some organizations that provide scholarships, partial scholarships, free treatment or financial aid:
- Mercy Ministries
- Milestones in Recovery
- Eating Disorders Clinic at Columbia
- Be Totally Free
- Renfrew Center Foundation
- Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center
- SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center
can help you find free and low-cost local mental health resources in your area.
If you don’t have any insurances you should contact as many facilities as possible and ask about financial aid.
The Rader Institute has such large facilities that it could accommodate every people’s need. All levels of treatment are provided according to your needs as far as insurance coverage, ability to pay and affordability, etc.
There are many national organizations that consider your ability to pay and your salary. National Organizations help you to get the therapists at your budget. Therapists, not all but some, leave some slots like one or two per week for people who can’t really afford the therapy sessions or for some of low pay.
A number of therapists often are willing to negotiate there prices. So on entering an organization do let them know your budget or your ability to pay.
Many insurance companies won’t cover for eating disorders, while covering for other mental issues. Since eating disorders are a combination of mental illness and depression, your therapist can logically diagnose you. An eating disorder can be named as anxiety/depression therefore insurance will cover your sessions. This is not uncommon or uncalled for, nor is it unethical.
Many colleges and universities have on-campus health centers, counselors and support groups geared towards assisting students to get mental health care. Services are often low in cost or free. In addition, a number of medical universities and colleges are continuously doing research on Eating Disorders.
In these cases often times they will provide you with mental and/or physical health care, and/or medication for free in return for being allowed to use their findings as part of their research. These types of programs are usually available to anyone, student or not. You can often find examples of these research programs available in the Special Bulletins section or within the Treatment Finder.
You can find support group on newspapers. These support groups are often run by an individuals or groups who offer treatment sessions for free. Self-help groups such as Overeaters Anonymous and Eating Disorders Anonymous usually offer their meetings free of charge just asking for small donations if you can afford it. When it comes to support groups and self-help groups there are a great number of options available – many of the national organizations will be able to refer you to local chapters and meetings, and there are some example of supports groups run both under the sponsorship of associations, as well as run personally by people in recovery, in the Treatment Finder.
You can begin to browse your options by visiting the Online Support section and our Online Therapy section.
More Articles on This Important Topic
*INSURANCE REFORM* Don’t forget to send your letter to help initiate health-care reform!
Eating Disorders Coalition — advancing the federal recognition of Eating Disorders as a public health priority
Anorexics in HMOs Fight for Care
The Renfrew Center Foundation — Access to Treatment
NAMI — The Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness