On Thursday, May 8th, the Illinois State Legislature Insurance committee will be presented with a bill aimed at expanding insurance coverage to include treatment of anorexia and bulimia.

"According to Kimberly Dennis, M.D., Medical Director at Timberline Knolls...eating disorders should have the same coverage as the serious mental illnesses currently covered by the Illinois mental health parity law. 'It's extremely important that the state legislature recognize the importance of providing equal medical coverage to those suffering from eating disorders,' said Dr. Dennis..."

The bill, HB 1432, would make anorexia and bulimia part of the list of mental illnesses which Illinois insurance is required to cover. Source: BusinessWire.

Labels: influences, legislation, mental_illness

A federal judge in Newark, New Jersey has ruled that a class-action lawsuit against the Aetna insurance company can proceed. The lawsuit specifically targets Aetna's policy on eating disorders and seeks to force them to improve their benefits coverage.

"The crucial issue... is whether eating disorders are biologically based mental illnesses (BBMI), for which insureds are entitled under contracts and state laws around the country to a higher level of coverage than is provided for purely mental conditions."

At the center of the lawsuit is father Frank De Vito, whose daughter was denied coverage for eating disorder treatment. Aetna called the treatment "not medically necessary." Read more at Law.com.

Labels: health_care, insurance, mental_illness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - a good time to begin setting the record straight about mental illness like depression and eating disorders.

"The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that in any year one in four Americans suffer from some diagnosable mental illness."

Many people fail to seek treatment, out of embarrassment or shame, even though most mental health issues are very treatable. Read more online.

Teenagers suffering from an eating disorder, depression, or other forms of mental illness can significantly benefit from a residential treatment center. A residential treatment center like The Aspen Institute can provide an assessment and treatment plan for teens struggling with a variety of issues, including substance abuse and learning disabilities.

Labels: mental_health, mental_illness, treatment