Eating Disorders and Health Insurance

Hospitalization of Children and Adolescents for Eating Disorders in the State of New York

“…Other sources have also raised the issue of inappropriate medical care for patients with eating disorders based on insurance barriers to treatment [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] There is a plausible explanation for the fact that patients on Medicaid had longer hospitalizations: they may be patients with the most severe form of illness, who either delayed care due to lack of insurance or underinsurance, and/or those who have become impoverished and lost their insurance as a consequence of their disease. Hospital stays contribute disproportionately to resource utilization and reflect the most severely affected patients.…”

“…Our data set from 1995 represents a crosssection of the problem; changes in patterns of hospitalization can be expected due to the current increase in denials for hospitalization requests, the fact that hospitalizations for patients with eating disorders are (intentionally or unintentionally) not given that diagnosis, and the degree to which insurance status and insurance decisions undermine treatment options [21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. Indeed, changes in care have occurred since 1995, such as the addition of major treatment guidelines, universal changes in reimbursement, and the growth of day-long and after-school programs [28 -30].…”

Identifying and Treating Eating Disorders

“…These criteria, in keeping with those published by the American Psychiatric Association, 24 acknowledge that hospitalization may be required because of medical or psychiatric needs or because of failure of outpatient treatment to accomplish needed medical, nutritional, or psychiatric progress. [57][58][59] Children and adolescents have the best prognosis if their disease is treated rapidly and aggressively 36 (an approach that may not be as effective in adults with a more long-term, protracted course). [57][58][59] Children and adolescents have the best prognosis if their disease is treated rapidly and aggressively 36 (an approach that may not be as effective in adults with a more long-term, protracted course).…”

A Health Service Perspective on Anorexia Nervosa

“……”