Paying for eating disorder treatment can be challenging, even if a family is financially stable.

Paying for treatment of an eating disorder might be the last thing on your mind when you or a loved one begins the road to recovery. But treatment does come with a price tag.

Help for Eating Disorders is Available

When it comes to the cost of eating disorder treatment, many are shocked and often discouraged. For those whose eating problems have reached a stage of medical and/or psychological crisis, a more intensive approach may be needed, such as hospitalization or other structured treatment programs.

One can access these services either through hospitals, family physicians, community agencies, schools, or individual therapists. It doesn’t matter where you live, whether it’s a large city or small town, help is available somewhere, please don’t give up looking. When it comes to accessing medical help, be prepared for a journey of education and consultations with your doctor and other doctors. If you live in a small town, there is probably help a city near you. Call, write, email, or fax an eating disorder organization that can help refer you to a low cost center. Low cost options are available, but you’ll need to do some research to find them.

Canadian Resources for Psychological Help

Canada has a number of options for those seeing psychological assistance for eating disorders. Canadians have a healthcare system that allows them to seek medical treatment regardless of their ability or lack of ability to pay. The services of a psychologist are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) Unless you are very financially well off or have excellent private insurance, these specialized services are not accessible to you. Even those who have good extended health care insurance, find the level of coverage is insufficient to suit their needs or not enough for the particular professional service required. There are many who can’t afford to purchase extended health care coverage.

Quite often people won’t seek the services of a psychologist because of the expense they can’t afford, they often abandon treatment and in many cases, psychologists end up subsidizing their fees. OHIP does cover treatment from psychiatrists, but they also have long waiting lists and patients must get referrals from their physicians. There are ways to cut the costs of services, though you will want to ask your doctor before you come for your appointment. Some doctors are willing to work on a sliding scale system.

Treatment Centers for Eating Disorders

There are many eating disorder treatment centers worldwide. For the most part, these centers offer in patient and out patient care to those who suffer from different types of eating disorders. While these treatment centers will often work with clients and their families, they still can be a very expensive treatment option. Here are just a few of the eating disorder clinics in Canada and the United States.

• The Eating Disorders Clinic Inc. under the direction of Patricia J. Perry, R.N., M.S.N. This center is based in Toronto, Ontario. This is a private, outpatient, community based clinic and the services of the clinic are not covered under OHIP or the majority of extended health care plans. Clients who seek treatment at this clinic are responsible for all payments.
• Bellwood Total Health Centre based in Toronto, Ontario, will help people at all income levels. They have programs that are on a fee-for-service basis but also have programs that are covered by provincial health plans. Bellwood also offers programs which are covered by provincial health plans and are free of charge.
• New Realities in Toronto, Ontario offers s list of fees. They have a therapist located in Thornhill, Ontario who will work on a sliding scale for hardship cases.
• The Westwind Eating Disorder Recovery Center is located in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, which has as its mission and sole purpose, the treatment of people who suffer from eating disorders. While this center seems to have a great program, setting and staff, their fees are very expensive and not covered.
• Homewood Health Center in Guelph, Ontario offers the largest in-patient Eating Disorders Program in Canada. Our program helps women and men aged 16 and older with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa to regain control of their lives.
• Remuda Ranch based in Arizona has a variety of options to help people pay for treatment at their facility. In addition to this, Remuda Ranch has established a non-profit entity called the Remuda Foundation. There are specific guidelines for the eligibility of being a recipient of funds. A treatment facility or professional determines the degree of financial assistance needed. The Remuda Foundation funds in-patient as well as out-patient treatment.

Will My Insurance Cover Eating Disorder Treatment?

Eating disorder treatment can last three to five years and many insurance companies do not provide adequate coverage of these illnesses. This can often make paying for treatment difficult and services often impossible to obtain. Insurance companies simply don’t provide adequate mental health care coverage, especially for the long terms needs of those with anorexia or bulimia.

If you have insurance coverage, you should call your insurance company and discuss your needs with them. You may even want to request information to be sent to you so you can look over it at home. In your insurance is through your employer, you may want to ask your employer for more information regarding your needs.

Types of Insurance Coverage in the U.S. and Canada

Private pay insurance companies may be helpful for covering eating disorder treatment, given you can afford their premiums. A health maintenance organization (HMO) is a type of managed-care health plan that provides your health care in return for a fixed payment from you or your employer. There are many types of HMOs. A common feature and often a problem is that you’re often restricted to a network of physicians affiliated with the HMO. In addition, many HMOs also require that you obtain a referral from your primary-care physician if you wish to see a specialist.

If you are low income and do not have medical insurance contact your local government office about applying for Medicare and/or Medicaid. Restrictions do apply.

In Canada, for more information about the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, Please visit the Ministry Of Health and Long Term Care Government Web Site. OHIP covers diagnostic and treatment services. If you have information about specific services and whether OHIP covers them, call the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care INFOline at 1-800-268-1154, Toronto (416) 314-5518, TTY 1-800-387-5559.

Free Money for Eating Disorder Treatment

There are some eating disorder clinics and organizations that offer scholarships or grants to help people in low-income situations so that treatment and recovery care is an option for them. Check with your treatment center to see if they can help defray costs.

• Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center is providing scholarships of 5 sessions at a significantly reduced rate, which will be paid for by $250 Scholarships.
• Remuda Ranch has established a non-profit entity called the Remuda Foundation. There are specific guidelines for the eligibility of being a recipient of funds.

Cheaper Eating Disorder Treatment at School

If you’re a college or graduate student, you might be in luck when it comes to affording eating disorder treatment. Some graduate universities or colleges may have intern programs where you may receive treatment from a student at a reduced rate. In some cases, students (interns) are available through other clinic and treatment centers or even therapists themselves. If you are low income, you may want to ask about this possibility being available and it being an option for you.

There are also a number of medical universities and colleges who are continuously conducting research and studies on eating disorders. To participate in these studies, you may receive care and even medication for free. Of course you must be willing to participate and cooperate. Check with local newspapers to see what studies are currently being run.

Eating Disorder Treatment at Local Hospitals

It is against the law to be turned away due to your lack of ability to pay for health care. There are many serious complications that can arise from an eating disorder and there are many cases where emergency care is urgently required. Thus, you might be able to access eating disorder treatment in this way, but only when things get really bad. If you are interested in hospital care, please contact your hospital’s eating disorder program and unit and see if you qualify. If you don’t, most are willing to provide you with referrals to private therapists and outside resources.