Are Insurance Companies Just Going to Let People Die?
October 18th, 2011
I have to mention again the article in the New York Times that discusses insurance companies in California appealing a decision in the lower courts that would make insurance companies pay for eating disorders treatment, and other mental conditions just as they pay for medical treatment. I’ve also read a several articles where a couple of psychologists maintained that people with eating disorders can be treated just as well on an out-patient basis.
Have they done a thorough literature review on the recovery rates of people from eating disorders? Stuart Agras tells us that only 32% of all people who have had treatment are eating disorder free at the end of a year. This included inpatient, residential, and outpatient therapy. Anorexia is the leading cause of death in young women. 20% of people with anorexia will die.
I see the women who admit to Mirasol for treatment. A good number of these women wouldn’t live if they didn’t receive the care they need. A couple of days in the hospital for refeeding doesn’t cut it. I’m talking about treating them nutritionally, physically, emotionally — real mind/body treatment because that is the way someone recovers from an eating disorder much more quickly than they would in outpatient therapy.
I remember the court case in Minnesota where Kitty Westin sued Blue Cross of Minnesota because they refused treatment for her daughter, Anna, who died from an eating disorder. Anna was only 16. Now Minnesota pays for eating disorder treatment.
A few lawsuits that would cost the insurance companies $1,000,000 or more will get their attention and paying for treatment will seem much cheaper in comparison to paying out large amounts in lawsuits.
Insurance companies are making huge profits. They need to care for the women in our society who suffer from these conditions.
We all need to get behind the lawsuits. We need to write or call our congressmen. We need to shout loud and clear. We need to let people know that we will not accept this kind of treatment — or should I say non-treatment?
Grrrrrr………….
