Eating Disorder Treatment and Medicare and Medicaid

It is of concern to me that many disabled, older, and low income individuals in our country may be going without needed eating disorder treatment, because most eating disorder treatment providers do not accept Medicare or Medicaid.  It seems that only eating disorder treatment at some hospitals accept Medicare and/or Medicaid.

I have Medicare insurance and have been fortunate to have had some individual therapy and my residential treatment covered in part by Medicare.   But in my experience with working at The National Association for Males with Eating Disorders (NAMED), I have not come across any therapists who accept Medicare or Medicaid and most facilities and centers with eating disorder programs do not accept Medicare or Medicaid.

Those most challenged in life due to disability, aging, and financial insecurity are being forced to go without needed treatment.  They should not have to deal with this additional burden of their disease when treatment is available.

If you are a treatment provider reading this and you don’t accept Medicare or Medicaid, I would encourage you to reconsider accepting these insurance plans, in order to be more inclusive of those you serve.

For further information on insurance and paying for treatment, visit www.NAMEDinc.org/insurance.asp and www.bulimia.com/client/client_pages/newsletter10.cfm.

Questions for Discussion (Reply to Chris@NAMEDinc.org)

1. Do you have Medicare or Medicaid? 
2. If so, are you in treatment and where OR are you not in treatment and  why?
3. Has the lack of eating disorder providers accepting Medicare or Medicaid hindered you from getting the treatment or the quality of treatment you need or needed?