United Healthcare Eating Disorder Coverage

In recent years, public awareness surrounding eating disorders has significantly increased, shedding light on the importance of sufficient mental health care. But sadly, when considering health care of any sort, one of the first questions that comes to mind for most people is: Will this be covered by my insurance? 

Since UnitedHealthcare is such a prominent insurance choice, it’s important to know what types of treatments the company makes available to customers. This is particularly important when it comes to eating disorder treatment, which can be a difficult-to-navigate and complex topic.

What is UnitedHealthcare?

UnitedHealthcare is a diversified health and well-being company that provides a wide range of healthcare services and insurance products to approximately 26.7 million Americans. [1] As one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States, their core mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the healthcare system more accessible to everyone. 

UnitedHealthcare offers insurance plans for individuals, families, and employers, as well as Medicare and Medicaid plans. They also provide various wellness programs, pharmacy benefits management, digital health tools, and healthcare data analytics to enhance healthcare access, affordability, and overall quality.

Does UnitedHealthcare Cover Eating Disorder Treatment?

Yes, UnitedHealthcare does offer some options for covering various eating disorder treatment programs.

Generally, the company recognizes eating disorders as serious mental health conditions, and covers treatments through their United Behavioral Health system, which works to cover all manner of mental health disorders.

It’s possible that UnitedHealthcare may also cover the cost of treatment for some of the physical symptoms of eating disorders, through other types of coverage.

Types of Treatments Covered by UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare may cover a range of mental health services and other programs aimed at eating disorder recovery for anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED).

These programs can potentially include:

• Inpatient eating disorder treatment
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
• Outpatient eating disorder treatment programs

Specific coverage varies on a number of factors, including the type of eating disorder a patient has, their medical history, and the details of their particular insurance plan.

Sometimes, insurance companies will only provide coverage for a certain amount of time, or cover less of the cost of treatment as time goes on. Other policies may require a patient to try outpatient services first, before the insurance company is willing to cover residential treatment or more intensive forms of care.

It’s important to discuss these details with a UnitedHealthcare representative for the most accurate answer.

How to Check if Eating Disorder Treatment Is Covered by UnitedHealthcare

To find out if eating disorder treatment is covered by UnitedHealthcare, start by carefully looking over your insurance policy documents, or visiting the UnitedHealthcare website. Specifically, keep an eye out for details regarding behavioral health coverage, as many insurance providers include eating disorder treatment within this category. 

If you are still not sure, you can also reach out to UnitedHealthcare customer support via phone or online chat to discuss your questions with a representative who can give you more information about your specific plan.

It also might be helpful to talk directly to the treatment facility or medical office you are considering, as they may have firsthand knowledge of how their services align with UnitedHealthcare plans and coverage. Be sure to ask about any services that are not covered by your insurance plan as well as  whether or not the duration of treatment that is covered. 

Some additional factors to keep in mind when seeking eating disorder treatment options are pre-existing health conditions, co-payments, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses that could possibly affect your insurance benefits. Talk to your healthcare provider for recommendations regarding facilities that are covered under your plan. 

What are Eating Disorders?

At some point in their lives, 28.8 million Americans, equivalent to 9%, will experience an eating disorder. [2]  And while these conditions are characterized by different patterns of disordered eating behavior, they all are marked by unhelpful thoughts around food, eating, and body image.

Frequently, eating disorders are tied to a number of co-occurring conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. If left untreated, these conditions can be extremely dangerous for both mental and physical health, or even lead to deadly consequences.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder of any kind, it’s vital to seek out proper treatment. While these conditions can have severe consequences, recovery is entirely possible.

It may feel difficult or even impossible to picture life on the other side of these deeply complex issues, but reaching out for help is the first step on the road to recovery. You can start by reaching out to a representative for UnitedHealthcare to understand what your treatment options are, and begin moving toward a healthier and happier future.

Resources

1. UnitedHealthcare Health Care Coverage and Benefits. (n.d.). UnitedHealth Group. Accessed April 2023.
2. Eating Disorder Statistics. (n.d.). National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Accessed April 2023.

Last updated on October 24, 2023 and published on EatingDisorderHope.com