How to Get Financial Help for Bulimia Treatments

Individuals battling bulimia often find themselves in financial straits after spending large amounts of money on food during periods of binging. Unfortunately, most of the professional treatment options available for bulimics can be very costly. The good news is you can find ways to get the help you need no matter what your current financial situation may be.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Pen
• Insurance policy
• Paper

Get Financial Help for Bulimia Treatments

1. Dig out your current medical insurance policy (or get a copy from your employer) and read through all of the coverage provided to deal with various mental health problems. Write down the monetary caps for the policy for inpatient care, outpatient care, counseling, medications and other aspects of treating bulimia.
2. Look for social organizations willing to help foot the bill for bulimia patients struggling to pay for various treatments.
3. Save money by participating in a local self-help group, but make sure the group is actually helpful. The group should be concerned about health first and encourage professional help, use a leader who has recovered from bulimia, allow free discussions, have people who are succeeding and provide a wealth of information.
4. Seek help at local mental health centers receiving a portion of financial funding from state and federal programs, so patients don't have to pay as much for care.
5. Check with various community agencies and large hospitals to find out what kind of help is available for people on limited incomes.
6. Get help from the school counselor if you're in junior high or high school. If you're out of school, consider going to a local university for a class and then look for treatment help through the on-campus counseling center or student health organization. Be sure to pay the extra fee required, if any, for a student health coverage plan.
7. Look for departments of psychiatry at nearby medical schools, where treatments are offered by psychiatric residents at much lower costs. While the person you work with may have limited experience in helping people with bulimia, he will work with someone with a lot of experience who will be able to provide help.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to show statements, like past IRS tax forms (1040) and paycheck stubs, to prove your current financial status.
• Don't give up the search for financial help if the first couple of avenues don't provide the help needed.
• Always ask if the treatment provider works on a "sliding scale" or not.